WAU-IAI-CtEE; 


THE  MASSxlCRE  AT  CHICAGO. 


A  KOMASCE  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION.    / 


BY  MAJOR  KICHARDSON, 

AUTHOR  OF   "WACOU.STA,"    " HARDSCRABBLE,"    "ECARTE,"    "JACK   BRAG  IN  SPAIN, 
"TECUilSEa,"  &.C. 


NEW    YOEK: 
II .     LONG     AND     BROTHER 

No.  43  ANN  STREET. 


nr,  lag  to  Ac:  of  Congress,  in  tlie  year  One  Thousand  Eight  Hundred  and  Fifiy-two, 

BY  H.    LONG  AND   BROTHER, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the 

Southern  Pistrict  of  New  ^rk. 


(^U?!-?/ 


# 


PREFATORY  INSCRIPTION. 


My  Publishers  ask  of  me  a  couple  of  pages  of  matter  to 
precede  this  Tale.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  state,  that  the 
whole  of  the  text  approaches  so  nearly  to  Historical  fact, . 
that  any  other  preface  than  that  which  admits  the  introduction 
of  but  one  strictly  fictitious  character — Maria  Heywood — in 
the  book,  must  be,  in  a  great  degree,  supererogatory.  Yet>  I 
gladly  avail  myself  of  this  pleasing  opportunity  of  manifesting 
the  deep  interest  and  sympathy  with  which  I  have  ever 
regarded  those  brave  spirits — heroes  not  less  than  heroines — 
who  participated  in  the  trials  of  that  brief  but  horrid  epoch. 
How  can  I  better  exemplify  this  than  by  inscribing  to  the 
descendants  of  the  venerable  founder  of  the  City  of  Chicago — 
a  prominent  actor  in  the  scene — as  well  as  to  the  gallant 
military  survivors  of  the  Massacre,  if  any  yet  exist,  the 
fruits   of  that  interest   and  that   sympathy. 

Dedications  and  Inscriptions  have  almost  grown  out  of 
fashion — at  least  they  are  not  so  general  in  the  present 
century  as  in  the  days  of  Dry  den ;  but  where,  through 
them,  an  opportunity  for  the  expression  of  esteem  and  sympathy 
ii?  presented,  an  Author  may  gladly  avail  himself  of  the 
occasion  to  show  that  no  common  interest  influenced  the 
tracings  of  his  pen — not  the  mere  desire  to  make  a  book, 
but  to  establish  on  a  high  pedestal,  and  to  circulate  through 
the  most  attractive  and  popular  medium,  the  merits  of  those 


whose    deeds    and     sufferings    have    inspii'ecL  him     with     the 
generous  spirit   of  eulogistic  comment.  ■^■-■• 

To  Her  Majesty's  41st  Kegimeut,  in  garrison  at  Detroit 
shortly  after  the  occurrences  herein  detailed,  ni}'-  first  Indian 
Tale,  "Wacousta,"  was  inscribed,  and  this  in  memory  of 
the  long,  and  by  no  means  feather-bed  service  I  had  seen 
with  that  gallant  Corps,  in  the  then  Western  wilds  of 
America;  it  was  a  tribute  of  the  soldier  to  his  companions 
in  arms.  In  the  same  spirit  I  inscribe  "  Wau-nan-gee  "  to 
those  who  were  then  our  enemies,  but  whose  courage  and 
whose  sufferings  were  well  known  to  all,  and  claimed  our 
deep  sympathy,  our  respect,  and  our  admiration,' — none  more 
than  the  noble  Mrs.  Heald,  and  Mrs.  Helme,  the  former 
the  ■\\Tfe  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  the  latter  the  daughter 
of  the  patriarch  of  Illinois,  Mr.  Kenzie,  some  years  since 
gathered  to   his   forefathers. 

The  Authok. 

New  York,  March  ^Oth,  1852. 


WAU-IAN-GEE; 


THE     MASSACRE    AT     CHICAGO 


CHAPTER  I. 

"  He  lias  come  to  ope  the  pni-ple  testament  of  war." — Richard  II 

It  was  the  Ytli  of  August,  1812,  when  Winnebeg,  the  confidential  Indian 
messenger  of  Captain  Headley,  commanding  Fort  Dearborn,  suddenly  made 
liis  appearance  within  the  stockade.  With,  a  countenance  on  wliich  was 
depicted  more  of  the  seriousness  and  concern  than  usually  attach  to  his  race, 
he  requested  the  officer  of  the  guard,  Lieutenant  Elmsley,  to  allow  him  to 
pass  to  the  apartment  of  the  Chief.  The  subaltern  shook  him  cordially  by 
the  hand  as  an  old  and  familiar  acquaintance  ;  and,  half  laughingly  taunt- 
ing him  with  the  great  solemnity  of  his  aspect,  asked  him  where  he  had 
been  so  long,  and  what  news  he  brought. 

"  Berry  bad  news,"  replied  the  Indian  gravely ;  "  must  see  him  Gubber- 
ner  directly — dis  give  him ;"  ^nd  thrusting  his  hand  into  the  bosom  of  his 
deerskin  shirt,  he  drew  forth  a  large  sealed  packet,  evidently  an  official 
despatch. 

"  From  Detroit,  Winnebeg  ?" 

"  Yes,  come  in  two  days — great -news — bad  news  !" 
"  Indeed  ?     You  shall  see  the  commanding  officer  dhectly." 
"  Corporal  Collins,  conduct  Winnebeg  to  Captain  Headley's  quarters." 
The  non-commissioned  officer  hastened  to  acquit  himself  of  the  duty,  and, 
on  the  announcement  of  his  name,  the  chief  was  admitted  to  the  presence 
of  the  commandant. 

The  latter  saw  at  a  glance,  from  the  countenance  of  the  Indian,  that  there 
was  something  wrong.  He  shook  him  warmly  by  the  hand,  bade  him  be 
seated,  and  then  hastily  breaking  the  seal  of  the  despatch,  with  an  air  of  pre- 
occupation perused  its  contents. 

The  document  was  from  General  Hull,  and  ran  nearly  as  follows  : — 
"  From  the  difficulty  of  access  to  your  post,  cut  off  as  is  the  communica- 
tion by  the  numerous  bands  of  hostile  Indians  whom  Tecumseh  has  raised  up 
in  arms  against  us,  I  take  it  for  granted  that  you  are  yet  ignorant  that  war  hai 


6  WAU-NAK-CEE  ;    Oil, 

been  declared  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States.  Such,  however, 
is  the  fact,,  and  in  a  few  days  1  expect  myself  to  be  surrounded  by  a  horde  of 
savages,  when  my  position  will  indeed  be  u  tryin^ij  one,  not  ^is  regards  myself, 
but  the  hundreds  of  defenceless  women  and  children,  whom  nothing  can 
preserve  from  the  tomahawk  and  the  scaljiing  knife.  I,  moreover,  fear  much 
for  C<ilonel  Cass,  wlio,  with  a  body  of  five  hundred  men,  is  at  a  short  dis- 
tance tioni  this,  and  will  be  cut  to  })ieces  the  moment  an  attack  is  made  upon 
myself.  To  add  to  the  untowardness  of  events,  I  have  just  received  intelli- 
gence that  the  Fort  of  Mackinaw  has  been  taken  by  the  British  and  their  allies, 
so  that,  almost  simultaneously  with  the  receipt  of  this,  you  in  all  probability 
Avill  hear  of  their  advance  upon  yourself.  The  result  must  not  be  tested, 
and  forthwith  you  will,  if  it  be  yet  practicable,  evacuate  your  post  and  retire 
upon  Fort  Wayne,  after  having  first  distributed  all  the  public  property  con- 
tained in  the  fort  and  factory  among  the  friendly  Indians  around  you. 
This  is  most  important,  for  it  is  necessary  that  these  people  should  be  con- 
ciliated, not  only  with  a  view  to  the  safe  escort  of  your  detachment  to  Fort 
Wayne,  but  in  order  to  their  subsequent  assistance  here.  There  are,  I 
believe,  nearly  five  hundred  Pottowatomies  encamped  around  you,  and  such 
a  nuraei-ous  body  of  Indians  would,  if  left  free  to  act  against  Tecumseh's 
warriors,  materially  lessen  the  difficulty  of  my  position  here.  Treat  them 
as  if  you  had  the  utmost  reliance  on  their  fidelity,  for  any  appearance  of 
distrust  might  only  increase  the  evil  we  wish  to  avoid.  I  rely  upon  your 
judgment  and  discretion,  which  Colonel  ^liller  assures  me  are  great.  I 
have  preferred  writing  this  confidential  dispatch  with  my  own  hand,  in  order 
that,  by  keeping  your  exposed  condition  as  secret  as  possible,  no  unneces- 
sary alarm  may  be  excited  in  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  by  a  knowledge 
of  the  danger  that  threatens  their  friends." 

All  this  was  indeed  news,  and  most  painful  and  jierplexing  news,  to  Cap- 
tain Ileadley.  He  read  the  dispatch  twice,  and  when  he  had  completed  the 
second  perusal,  he  raised  his  eyes  to  the  chief,  who  was  regarding  him  at 
the  moment  fixedly  as  with  a  view  to  read  his  intentions,  and  asked  if  Gene- 
ral Hull  had  at  all  communicated  to  him  the  contents  of  the  dispatch. 

"  Yes,  Gubberner,"  replied  the  Indian.  "  Tell  him  Winnebegtake  soger 
— den  come  back  to  Detroit — what  say  him,  Gubberner — go  to  Fort 
Wayne?"  and  he  looked  earnestly  at  the  commanding  officer  while  he 
waited  his  answer. 

"  I  do  not  inow,  Winnebeg  ;  I  have  not  made  up  my  mind.  We  must 
consider  what  is  best  to  be  done." 

All  this  was  evasive.  The  order  was  conclusive  with  Captain  Ileadley. 
Had  his  road  led  over  a  battery  bristling  with  cannon,  once  ordered,  he 
would  have  made  the  attempt ;  but,  from  a  motive  of  prudence,  the  cause 
for  which  he  could  not  explain  to  himself,  he  was  unwilling  to  communicate 
his  final  determination  to  the  chief. 

"  Leave  me  now,  Winnebeg ;  1  have  much  to  do  that  must  be  done 
directly  ;  come  early  to-morrow,  and  we  will  talk  the  matter  over.  Mean- 
while, not  a  word  to  your  young  men  of  the  beginning  of  the  war,  or  the 
fall  of  Mackinaw.  Do  you  promise  me  ?  To-morrow  I  will  hold  a  coun- 
cil." 

"  Yes,  Winnebeg  promise,"  he  said,  taking  the  proffered  hand  of  Ca.ptaln 
Ileadley  ;  "  not  speak  till  to-morrow  ?     How  him  fine  squaw,  eh  V 


THE   MASSACRE    AT    CHICAGO.  V 

"  Mrs.  Headley  is  quite  well,  Winnebeg,"  returned  the  Captain,  fointly 
smilino-,  "  and  I  am  sure  she  will  be  very  glad  to  hear  that  you  have 
returned.  Come  and  breakfast  with  us  at  eight  o'clock,  and  she  will  tell 
you  so  herself ;  so,  for  the  present,  good  bye." 

Winnebeo-  departed,  but,  far  from  satisfied  with  the  answer  he  had 
received,  he  repeated  the  question  to  the  commanding  officer — "  Go  to  Fort 
Wayne?" 

"  Maybe—perhaps — I  Vi\\\  tell  you  to-morrow  in  council,"  returned  Cap- 
tain Headley.     "  What  do  you  think,  Winnebeg  ?" 

The  chief  looked  at  him  steadily  for  some  moments,  shook  his  head  in 
disapproval  of  the  scheme,  and  then  slowly  and  silently  withdrew^. 

"  What  can  this  mean  ?"  mused  Captain  Headley,  when  left  alone. 
"  Whence  his  opposition  to  the  will  of  the  General  ?  Surely  he  cannot 
meditate  treachery.  He  does  not  wish  to  see  us  taken  by  the  British  here. 
But — nonsense  !  I  will  at  once  summon  my  officers,  make  known  the  state 
of  afliurs,  and  for  form's  sake,  consult  with  them  as  to  our  mode  of  proceed- 
ing— my  own  determination  of  retreat  is  not  the  less  formed.  Corporal 
Collins  !"  he  called  to  the  orderly,  who  was  pacing  up  and  down  in  front 
of  the  door  opening  on  the  parade  ground,  "  summon  the  several  officers  to 
attend  me  here  within  the  hour." 

"  Please  your  honor,  sir,"  said  the  man,  hesitatingly,  as  he  raised  his 
hand  to  his  cap. 

"  Well,  sir,  please  what  ?" 

"  There  is  only  Mr.  Elmsley  in  the  fort.  He  is  the  officer  of  the 
guard." 

"  And  where  is  Mr.  Ronayne  ?" 

"  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ronayne  and  the  Doctor  rode  out  soon  after  dinner,  sir, 
in  the  direction  of  Hardscrabblq  " 

"  The  direction  of  the  devil,"'  muttered  the  commanding  officer.  "  This 
is  the  result  of  my  loosening  the  reins  of  discipline ;  besides,  there  is  some 
risk.  Hostile  Indians  may  be  in  the  neighborhood  ;  and  what  should  I  do 
without  officers,  pressed  as  we  are  now  ?  Let  me  know,  orderly,  when  they 
return.     The  next  time  they  leave  the  fort,  it  will  be  for  ever." 

"  Sir  !"  said  the  Corporal,  hearing  the  words,  but  not  comprehending  their 
meaning. 

"  When  next  they  leave  the  fort,  they  will  never  enter  it  again,"  rejoined 
Captain  Headley,  abstractedly.  "  Meanwhile,  as  soon  as  Mr.  Ronayne  and 
the  Doctor  return,  let  them  know  that  I  wish  to  see  them,  with  Mr. 
Elmsley,  immediately." 

"  Certainly,  sir,"  said  Corporal  Collins,  again  touching  his  cap ;  "  but 
hang  me,"  he  muttered  as  he  departed,  "  if  1  don't  report  to  Mr.  Ronayne 
all  that  he  has  said.  Never  enter  the  fort  again  !  Well,  here's  a  bobbery  !" 
and  thus  soliloquizing,  he  resumed  his  accustomed  walk. 

It  was  with  deep  concern  at  his  heart  that  Captain  Headley,  on  returning 
to  the  apartment  of  his  wife,  communicated  to  her  the  substance  of  Gene- 
ral Hull's  dispatch.  A  feeling  of  misgiving  arose  to  her  mind  from  the 
first,  and  she  saw  in  the  early  future  scenes  and  sufferings  from  which,  only 
an  hour  before,  all  had  believed  themselves  to  be  utterly  exempt.  For  some 
moments  they  continued  silently  gazing  on  each  other,  as  if  to  read  the 
thoughts  that  were  passin^j  through  the  minds  of  each,  when,  taking  the 


8  WAV-N AX-GEE  ;     OK, 

hanrJ  of  the  noble  woin:m  in  his  own,  he  pressed  it  filTectionately  as  he 
remarked — 

"  Ellen,  you  have  ever  been  my  friend  and  counsellor,  as  well  as  the 
adored  wife  with  which  hoaveu  lias  blessed  me,  even  beyond  all  I  could  liave 
desired  on  earth.  Tell  me  candidly  your  opinion.  What  course  ought  I  to 
pursue  on  this  occasion  ?  One  passaj^e  in  the  dispatch  leav.es  it,  in  some 
dt'greo,  optional  to  regulate  my  actions  by  circumstances.  '  If  it  be  yet 
practicable,'  writes  the  GenvTal.  Now,  I  confess  my  mind  is  pretty  well 
made  up  on  the  subject,  but,  nevertheless,  I  should  like  tQ  have  your  opinion 
to  sustain  me.  Thus  armed,  I  can  enter  upon  my  plans  witli  the  greater 
confidence  of  success." 

"  But,  dear  Ileadley,  tell  me  what  is  your  opinion,  then  I  will  frankly 
state  my  own." 

"  To  retreat,  as  ordered.  I  have  not  the  excuse  to  ofFer  if  I  would,  that 
the  order  of  the  General  is  impracticable ;  besides,  to  remain  here  longer 
would  only  be  to  insure  our  subsequent  fall.  Even  if  the  captors  of  Macki- 
naw should  fail  to  carry  our  weak  post,  some  other  force  will  be  sent  to  suc- 
ceed them." 

Mrs.  Ileadley  shook  her  head,  wliile  a  faint  but  melancholy  smile  passed 
over  her  fine  features. 

"  I  grieve  to  differ  with  you,  Headley,"  she  at  length  said ;  "  but  I  lilce 
not  the  idea  of  this  abandonment  of  the  fort,  to  enter  on  a  retreat  fraught 
with  every  danger  to  us  all.  Hero,  well  provisioned  and  armed,  we:ik 
though  be  your  force,  you  can  but  fall  into  the  hands  of  a  generous  foe. 
Better  that  than  perish  by  the  tomahawk  in  the  wilderness." 

"  How  mean  you,  my  dear  ?"  returned  her  husband,  slightly  annoyed  that 
she  differed  from  him  in  the  decision  at  which  he  had  already  arrived. 
"  What  chance  of  harm  is  there  so  great  in  marching  through-  the  woods  as 
in  remaining  here?  Have  we  not  five  hundred  Pottowatomie  warriors 
to  escort  us  to  Fort  Wayne  ?" 

"  Alas,  my  too  confiding  husband,  it  is  fi-om  these  very  people  you  have 
named  that  most  I  fear  the  danger." 

"  Nonsense  I"  returned  Captain  Headley  in  a  tone  of  gentle  rebuke,  while 
he  pressed  his  lips  to  the  expansive  brow  of  his  companion ;  "  this  is  unkind, 
Ellen.  Why  distrust  these  our  staunchest  friends  ?  I  would  rely  upon 
Winnebeg  as  upon  myself.  He  is  too  noble  a  fellow  not  to  hold  treachery 
in  abhorrence." 

"  Nay,  nay,"  continued  Mrs.  Headley ;  "  think  not  for  a  moment  that 
I  doubt  Winnebeg  ;  but  there  is  another  in  the  camp  of  the  Pottowatomies 
who  has  scarcely  less  influence  with  the  tribe,  and  who  may  take  advan- 
tage of  the  present  crisis  of  affairs,  and  turn  them  to  his  own  purpose.^* 

""  Who  do  you  mean,  Ellen,  and  what  puqjose  ?  Really,  it  is  important 
that  I  should  know.  What  purpose,  what  motive,  can  he  have  ?"  eagerly 
questioned  Captain  Headley. 

"  The  purpose  and  motive  those  which  often  make  the  gentle  tigers,  tha 
timid  daring,  the  irresolute  confirmed  of  will — Love." 

"  Love  !  what  love  ?  whose  love  ?  and  what  has  that  to  do  with  the  fidelity 
of  the  Potto watomies  ?" 

"  The  love  of  Wau-nan-gee,  the  once  gentle  and  modest  son  of  Winnebeg, 
who,  scarce  three  months  since,  could  not  gaze  into  a  white  woman's  eyes 


THE   MASSACRE    AT    CUICAGO.  V 

without  melting  softness  beaming  from  his  own,  and  the  rich,  ripe  peach- 
bhish  crimsoning  his  dark  cheek." 

"  And  what  now  ?"  questioned  Captain  Headley,  seriously. 

"  My  love,"  resumed  Mrs.  Headley,  placing  her  hand  emphatically  on  his 
shoulder,  "  you  know  I  have  never  concealed  from  you  anything  that 
regarded  myself.  I  have  had  no  secrets  fiom  you  ;  but  this  is  one  which 
affects  another.  Exce})t  for  the  present  aspect  of  affairs,  when  you  should 
be  duly  hiformed  of  that  which  bears  reference  to  our  immediate  position,  I 
should  have  felt  mj'self  bound  by  every  tie  of  delicacy  and  honor,  not  less 
than  of  inclination,  to  have  kept  confined  to  my  own  bosom  that  which  I 
am  now  to  reveal  in  the  fullest  confidence,  on  the  sole  understanding  that 
the  slightest  allusion  shall  never  be  made  by  you  hereafter  to  the  subject." 

"  This  becomes  mysterious,"  rejoined  the  commandant,  smihng ;  "  but 
Ellen,  pleasantry  apart,  I  promise  you  most  truly — and,  shall  I  add,  on  the 
honor  of  an  officer  and  a  gentleman,  that  yoiu-  disclosure  shall  be  sacred." 

"Good!  now  that  I  have  quieted  my  own  mind,  by  exacting  from  you 
what  in  fact  was  not  absolutely  necessary,  I  Avill  explain  as  briefly  as  I  can. 
Do  you  recollect  the  evening  of  Maria  Ileywood's  marriage  with  Rouayne  ?" 

"  Yes." 

"  And  you  remarked  the  agitation  evinced  by  Wau-nan-gee,  during  the 
ceremony,  and  particularly  at  the  close,  when  Ronayne,  as  customary, 
kissed  his  bride  ?" 

"  I  noticed  that  there  was  some  confusion  caused  by  his  abrupt  depar- 
ture, but  I  neither  knew  nor  inquired  the  cause  ;  I  was  too  interested  in  the 
performance  of  the  ceremony  to  think  of  anything  but  the  happiness  that 
awaited  them,  and  which  they  appeared  so  much  to  desire  themselves." 

"  Well,  no  matter ;  but  you  must  know  that  all  the  agitation  of  the 
youth  was  caused  by  his  jealousy  of  the  good  fortime  of  Ronayne." 

"  Jealous  of  Ronayne  ?"  exclaimed  Captain  Headley  with  unfeigned  sur- 
prise. "  Ha  !  ha !  ha !  excuse  me,  my  dear  Ellen,  but  I  cannot  avoid  being 
amused  at  the  strangeness  of  the  conceit." 

"  It  was  even  so,"  returned  Mrs.  Headley,  gravely,  "  and  a  source  of 
unhappiness  I  fear  it  will  prove  to  us  all  that  it  was  so." 

"Proceed,"  said  her  husband. 

"  Are  you  aware  that  the  son  of  Winnebeg  has  never  entered  the  fort 
nor  been  even  in  the  neighborhood  since  the  night  of  that  marriage  ?''  pur- 
sued his  wife. 

"  I  do  not  believe  he  has  been  seen  since,"  remarked  Captain  Headley. 

"  I  knoto  that  he  has  not ;  but  yet  he  is  ever  near,  seemingly  bent  on  one 
purpose." 

"  Love  ?''  interposed  the  Captain,  smiling. 

"  Yes,  love  !  but  a  fearful  love — though  the  love  of  a  smooth-faced  boy 
—■■a  love  that  may  bring  down  destruction  upon  us  all." 

"  Ellen,  you  begin  to  fill  me  with  alarm,"  remarked  her  husband,  gravely. 
"  You  are  not  a  woman  to  be  startled  by  trifles,  and  there  is  that  in  your 
manner  just  now  which  fully  satisfies  me  of  the  unportance  of  w^hat  you 
have  to  communicate." 


10  WAU-NAN-GEE  ;     OK, 


CHAPTER  11. 


"  Y<m  know  my  iovc  for  Airs.  Rona3''nc,"  coiitinued  Mrs.  Ilcadlcy,  after  a 
pause  of  a  few  minutes.  "Even  as  tliough  she  were  my  own  daughter,  I 
regard  her,  and  would  do  for  her  all  that  a  fond  mother  could  for  her  child. 
Only  yesterday  afternoon,  while  Ronayne  and  the  Doctor  were  out  ^tith  a 
party  iishing  on  the  old  grouud  above  1  Jardscrabble,  she  expressed  a  wish 
to  visit  the  tomb  of  her  poor  moiher,  who,  dying  within  a  week  after  her 
marriage,  had  been  buried  near  the  base  of  the  summer-house  on  the 
grounds  attached  to  their  cottage,  and  asked  me  to  accompany  her.  Of 
course  I  consented  ;  and  as  you  were  busily  engaged,  you  did  not  particu- 
larly notice  my  absence.  We  crossed  the  river  in  the  scow,  and  ascended 
leisurely  to  the  garden.  It  sti-uck  me  as  we  walked  that  the  figure  of  a 
man,  seemingly  an  Indian,  floated  rapidly  past  within  the  paling  of  the  gar- 
den, but  I  could  not  distinctly  trace  the  outline,  and  therefore  assumed  that 
I  had  been  deceived,  and  so  said  nothing  to  my  companion  on  the  subject. 

'■We  had  not  been  long  in  the  garden  when  Mrs.  Ronayne,  leaving  me 
to  saunter  among  and  cull  from  the  rich  flowers  which  grew  in  Avild  luxu- 
riance around,  begged  me  to  wait  for  her  a  few  minutes  while  she  ascended 
to  the  summer-house  to  commune  in  private  with  her  thoughts,  and  indulge 
the  feelings  which  had  been  called  up,  at  this  her  first  visit  since  the  place 
had  been  abandoned,  to  the  once  happy  residence  of  her  girlhood.  At  her 
entrance,  I  distinctly  heard  her  give  a  low  shriek,  but,  taking  it  for  granted 
that  this  was  in  consequence  of  the  eff^ect  upon  her  mind  of  a  sudden  recur- 
rence to  old  and  well  remembered  scenes  with  which  so  much  of  the  unplea- 
sant was  associated,  I  paid  no  great  attention  to  it.  After  this  all  was  still, 
and  nearly  an  hour  had  elapsed  when,  fancying  that  it  was  imprudent  to 
leave  her  so  long  to  her  own  melancholy  thoughts,  I  moved  towards  the 
summer-house  myself,  making  as  much  noise  with  my  feet  as  possible  to 
prepare  her  for  my  approach.  I  had  got  about  half  way  up  the  ascent, 
•when  to  my  astonishment  I  beheld  issuing  from  the  entrance  not  Mrs. 
Ronayne,  but  the  long- absent  Wau-nan-gee,  Avho,  with  a  flushed  cheek  and 
a  fiery  eye,  divested  of  all  its  former  softness,  made  several  bounds  in  an 
opposite  direction,  and,  without  uttering  a  Avord,  rapidly  disappeared  among 
the  fruit  trees  which  bordered  on  the  forest. 

"Seized  with  a  strong  presentiment  of  evil,  I  entered  the  summer-house. 
Judge  my  astonishment  when  I  found  it  empty.  Heaven  !  what  could  this 
mean  ?  1  had  distinctly  seen  Mrs.  Ronayne  enter  it,  and  I  had  scarcely 
since  taken  my  eyes  off"  the  building.  In  an  agony  of  despair,  I  threw 
myself  upon  the  wooden  bench,  and  scarcely  conscious  of  Avhat  I  did,  called 
frantically  on  Maria's  name.  Suddenly,  a  sound  similar  to  that  of  a  faint 
moan  seemed  to  proceed  from  beneath  my  feet.  I  rose,  removed  the  rude 
Indian  mat  with  Avhich  the  centre  of  the  floor  is  covered,  and  perceived  that 
it  had  been  recently  cut  into  an  oblong  square  nearly  the  size  of  the  mat 
itself.  The  whole  truth  now  flashed  upon  me — it  was  evident  that  my 
friend  was  beneath  :  but  the  great  difficulty  was  to  find  the  means  of  remov- 
ing the  door,  which  fitted  so  closely  that  it  required  some  superinducing 
motive  even  to  suspect  its  existence.  There  was  nothing  mside  the  building 
which  could  effect  my  purpose.     I  ran  to  the  door  and  cast  my  eyes 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  11 

towards  tlie  cottage.  Around  it  I  saw  a  number  of  Indians  stealtliily 
moving  near  one  of  the  wings  to  the  rear.  In  a  moment  I  saw  the  necessity 
for  promptitude,  and  hastened  rapidly  towards  the  beach  where  I  had  left 
the  crew  of  the  boat,  consisting  of  four  men  and  Corporal  Collins,  and  bade 
them  come  as  far  as  the  entrance  to  the  garden,  where  they  could  distinctly 
see  and  be  seen  from  the  cottage.  I  remarked  that  there  were  Indians 
lurking  about  the  grounds,  and  that  neither  Mrs.  Ronayne  nor  myself  liked 
being  so  near  them  without  pi-otection.  '  As  for  you,  Corporal  Collins,'  I 
added  playfully,  '  you  must  lend  me  your  bayonet ;  an  Indian  does  not  like 
that  weapon,  and,  should  any  of  these  people  feel  inclined  to  prove  unrul)-, 
the  bare  sight  of  it  will  be  sufficient.  Remain  here  at  the  gate  until  I  return 
with  Airs.  Ronayne,  and  keep  a  good  look  out  that  we  are  not  carried  off.'  " 

"  But,  my  dear,"  interposed  Captain  Headley,  anxiously,  "  why  all  this 
mystery  about  the  matter  ?^ — all  this  beating  about  the  bush  ? — why  did  you 
not  take  Collins  and  his  party  to  the  summer-house  and  release  Mrs. 
Ronayne,  if  indeed  it  was  she  whose  moan  you  heard  ? 

"  Nay,  Headley,  in  this  I  but  followed  your  own  example.  There  were 
many  reasons  why  this  should  not  be.  Firstly,  for  the  sake  of  Maria,  whose 
actual  position  might  be  such  as  to  render  it  injudicious  that  they  be  made 
acquainted  with  it.  Secondly,  because  it  would  unavoidably  have  brought 
the  men  in  coUision  with  the  Indians,  which  would  have  entailed  ruin  upon 
us  all.  No ;  I  felt  the  mere  sight  of  them  would  awe  the  Indians  around 
the  cottage,  whom  policy  would  prevent  from  open  outrage,  and  that,  pro- 
vided with  Collins's  bayonet,  I  could  open  the  trap  door  and  deliver  my 
friend,  without  any  of  the  party  knowing  aught  of  what  had  occurred." 

"  Right  prudently  and  sagely  did  you  act,  my  dear  Ellen,"  returned  her 
husband — "  gp  on  :  I  am  all  impatience  to  hear  the  result." 

"On  regaining  the  summer-house,  I  applied  the  point  of  the  weapon. 
With  some  little  exertion  the  door  Avas  raised,  and,  looking  down,  I  saw 
something  broad  and  white  in  the  gloom,  on  which  lay  a  figure  indistinctly 
marked  in  outline.  Gradually,  as  my  eyes  became  accustomed  to  the  dark- 
ness, I  remarked  two  or  three  rude  stones  placed  as  steps,  which  I  placed 
my  feet  upon  and  descended  until  I  had  gained  the  bottom  of  the  aperture 
and  upon  the  white  substance  I  have  just  named.  It  was  a  large  piece  of 
white  calico,  covering  a  bed  of  what  appeared  to  me  to  be  corn-leaves,  on 
which  sat  or  rather  reclined  Maria.  She  looked  the  image  of  despair — as 
one  stupified — and  when  I  first  addressed  her,  could  not  speak.  Her  dress 
was  greatly  disordered,  her  hat  off  and  lying  near  her,  and  the  comb 
detached  from  the  long  hair. 

"'Oh,  Maria,  my  child!'  I  said  to  her  soothingly,  'what  a  terrible  inci- 
dent is  this  !  Who  could  have  believed  Wau-nan-gee  would  have  committed 
this  outrage  V 

"  The  air  let  in  from  above  tended  greatly  to  revive  her,  and  soon,  with  my 
assistance,  she  was  enabled  to  stand. 

"  Her  voice  and  manner  proclaimed  deep  agitation.  '  Dear,  dear  Mrs. 
Headley,'  she  said  impressively,  as  she  threw  herself  upon  my  bosom,  '  as 
you  love  me,  not  a  word  to  Ronayne  or  to  any  other  human  being.  Oh, 
merciful  Providence  !  it  can  do  no  good  that  aught  of  this  occurrence  should 
be  revealed.  Promise  me  then,  my  more  than  mother,  that  what  has  passed 
since  we  entered  this  garden  shall  be  confined  to  your  own  breast.' 


18  Vri. U-NAN-GEE  ;    OR, 

" '  I  comprchen  J  and  appreciate  your  motive  for  this  concoalment,  Maria,' 
I  observed,  soothingly.  *  The  knowledge  of  Wau-iian-gee's  wrong  would 
arouse  the  anger  of  llonayne  in  such  manner  as  to  give  rise  to  fatal  discord 
between  the  Indians  around  and  ourselves.  Depend  upon  it,  both  for  the 
love  I  bear  you,  and  the  necessity  for  silence,  the  occurrences  of  this  day 
never  shall  be  disclosed  by  me.' 

"  '  Thanks,  thanks,'  she  returned  fervently.  "  To-morrow  you  shall  know 
all — the  deep,  the  terrible  secret  that  weighs  at  my  heart  shall  be  revealed 
to  you.  Yes,  give  me  but  until  then  to  prepare  myself  for  the  full  and 
entire  disclosure  of  the  unhappy  truth,  and  you  will  not  hate  me  for  all  that 
has  taken  place.' 

"  '  Maria — Mrs.  Ronayne  !'  I  said  with  some  slight  sevcritj^  of  manner. 

"  '  Oh,  you  are  surprised  at  my  language  and  sentiments.  When  the  heart 
is  full,  the  lip  measures  not  its  words.  Yet,  oh,  my  mother !  condemn  me 
not  Hear  first  what  I  have  to  say.  Again  I  repeat,  ere  your  eyes  are 
closed  in  sleep  to-morrow  night,  you  shall  know  all.  The  tale  will  startle 
you  ;  but  now,'  she  added,  'I  feel  that  I  have  strength  enough  to  follow.' 

"  During  this  short  and  singular  dialogue — singular  enough,  you  must 
admit,  on  the  part  of  Mrs.  Ronayne — I  had  assisted  her  in  restoring  her 
dress,  which,  as  I  have  already  said,  was  very  much  disordered.  On  turning 
to  ascend  by  the  stone  steps,  1  remarked  with  surprise  certain  articles  of  food 
placed  on  the  corner  of  the  calico,  which  I  had  been  too  much  occupied 
■with  Maria's  condition  to  perceive  before.  These  consisted  of  a  wooden 
bowl  of  milk — a  brown  earthen  pitcher  of  water — a  number  of  flat  cakes, 
seemingly  made  of  corn  meal,  and  a  portion  of  dried  venison  ham  ;  a  wooden 
spoon  was  in  the  bowl,  a  black  tin  japanned  drinking  cup  near  the  water, 
and  a  common  Indian  knife  stuck  into  the  venison. 

" '  Bless  me,  Maria,'  I  said,  with  an  attempt  at  pleasantry,  after  we  had 
ascended,  and  closed  the  door,  '  it  was  well  I  came  to  your  rescue ;  Wau- 
nan-gee  certainly  meant  to  have  kept  you  imprisoned  here  some  time,  if  we 
may  judge  from  ihe  quantity  of  food  he  had  provided.' 

"• '  Such,  I  believe,  was  the  original  intention,'  gi-avely  replied  Mrs. 
Ronayne. 

"  She  made  no  other  remark,  but  sighed  deeply.  We  now  drew  near  the 
gate  where  Collins  and  his  men  were  stationed,  looking  out  anxiously  for 
om*  appearance.  I  recommended  'to  Maria,  in  a  low  tone,  not  to  appear 
dejected,  as  the  men  knew  nothing  of  what  had  occurred — not  even  that 
Wau-nan-gee  had  been  on  the  grounds— and  any  appearance  of  agitation 
might  give  rise  to  suspicion.  She  followed  my  suggestion  and  rallied.  I 
returned  Collins  his  bayonet,  stating,  with  a  poor  attempt  at  pleasantry, 
that  we  had  met  with  no  enemy  on  whom  to  try  it.  He  then  led  the  way 
back,  with  his  party,  to  the  boat. 

*'  The  presence  of  the  men  acting,  in  some  degree,  as  a  check  upon  our 
conversation,  Mrs.  Ronayne  consequently  preserved  an  unbroken  silence. 
She  seemed  immersed  in  deep  and  painful  thought,  and  I  could  see  beneath 
the  thin  veil  she  wore  the  tears  coursing  slowly  down  her  cheek.  Her  first 
inquiry,  on  landing,  was  whether  the  fishing  party  was  returned,  and,  on 
being  told  that  it  had  not,  she  seemed  to  be  greatly  relieved.  I  watched 
her  closely,  for  I  need  not  say  that  my  own  daughter  could  not  have 
inspired  me  with  deeper  interest,  and  in  the  increased  agitation  I  remarked 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  13 

.IS  the  hoiiv  of  her  husband's  expected  return  drew  nearer,  I  began  to  appre- 
hend a  fearful  result.  Not  that,  even  if  my  suspicions  were  correct,  she 
could  well  be  blamed,  as  the  mere  victim  of  a  violence  she  could  not  pre- 
vent ;  but  what  I  did  not  like  to  perceive,  and  which  pained  me  much,  was 
lier  evident  prepossession  in  favor  of  the  impetuous  boy,  which  induced  her 
to  abstain  from  all  indignant  censure.  These,  however,  are  merely  my  own 
crude  and  perhaps  unfounded  impressions.  That  she  has  some  terrible 
truth  to  reve^  to  me,  there  cannot  be  a  question,  nor  is  it  likely  that  it  can 
affect  any  but  hers^f.  This  night,  however,  I  shall  know  all  from  her  own 
lips,  which,  although  sealed  in  prudence  to  her  husband,  will  not  hesitate  to 
confide  to  me  the  fullest  extent  of  her  painful  secret ;  meanwhile,  I  should 
recommend  that  Wau-nan-gee  be  watched.  His  long  absence  from  the  fort, 
Avhile  evidently  concealed  in  the  neigliborhood,  looks  not  well.  Evidently, 
he  has  been  long  planning  the  abduction  of  Maria,  and  now  that  he  finds 
himself  foiled  by  her  evasion  this  day,  he  will  avail  himself  of  the  present 
crisis  to  leave  no  means  unaccomplished  to  possess  her,  no  matter  what 
blood  may  be  shed  in  the  attainment  of  his  object." 

"  Strange,  indeed,  what  you  have  related,"  said  Captain  Headley,  gravely, 
when  his  wife  had  ceased.  "  I  confess  I  scarcely  know  what  to  think  or 
how  to  act.  I  must  hold  council  with  my  officers  immediatel}^ — hear  their 
opinions  without  divulging  aught  of  what  you  have  related,  and  act  as  my 
own  judgment  confirms.  How  unfortunate  !  Ronayne  and  his  wife,  accom- 
panied by  Von  Voltenberg,  have  taken  it  into  their  heads  to  ride  to  Hard- 
scrabble,  and  God  knows  when  they  will  be  back.  Really,  this  is  most 
annoying." 

At  that  moment  a  terrible  shriek,  as  that  of  a  man  in  his  last  fearful 
agony,  was  heard  without.  Struck  with  sudden  dismay,  both  Captain 
Headley  and  his  wife  rushed  to  the  door,  which  they  reached  even  as 
Ensign  Ronayne,  pale,  without  his  hat,  his  hair  blowing  in  the  breeze,  and 
his  cheek  colorless  as  death,  was  in  the  act  of  falling  from  his  jaded  horse, 
whose  trembling  limbs  and  sides  covered  with  foam,  attested  the  desperate 
speed  with  which  he  had  been  ridden. 

"  Oh,  God  !  he  has  heard  all — he  knows  all,"  murmured  Mrs.  Headley, 
as  she  fell  back  in  the  arms  of  her  husband.  "  Now,  then,  is  the  drama  of 
horror  but  commenced." 

Before  the  unfortunate  ofiicer  could  be- raised  and  carried  to  his  apart- 
ments by  the  sympathizing  soldiers  of  the  garrison,  another  horseman  fol- 
lowed into  the  fort.  It  was  Doctor  Van  Voltenberg,  whose  flushed  face 
and  excited  appearance  denoted  the  speed  at  which  he  too  had  ridden. 
He  flung  himself  from  his  horse,  and  followed  anxiously  to  the  apartment 
of  his  friend. 

But  where  was  the  third  of  the  party  ?  where  was  ilaria,  the  universally 
beloved  of  everv  soldier  of  that  garrison  ?  where  was  Mrs.  Ronayne  ? 


14  WAU-NAN-GEE  ;     OR, 

CHAPTER  III. 

"A  sailor's  wite  had  chcstuuts  ia  her  hip,  and  moimcht." — Macbeth 

"Thy  abundant  goodness  shall  excuse  this  deadly  blot  in  thy  digressing  son." 

Richard  II. 

Little  more  tlian  a  month  had  ehipsod  since  tlio  marriage  qf  the  impetu- 
ous'and  generous  Ensign  Ronayne  to  the  woman  he  ado«-ed.  Absorbed  by 
the  intensity  of  their  passion,  fed  by  the  sohtude  around,  each  day  incre;ised 
their  attaclunent,  and  their  full  hearts  acknowledged  that  the  love  which  the 
man  bears  to  his  mistress — the  affianced  sharer  of  his  inmost  thoughts — is 
passionless  compared  ■with  that  which  follows  the  mystic  tie,  linking  their 
most  secret  being  in  fearlessness  of  devotion.  Then,  for  the  first  time,  had 
thoy  felt  and  acknowledged  all  the  power  of  the  beauty  of  God's  holy  ordi- 
nance, which  seemed  to  wed  not  in  mere  form,  but  in  fact,  the  deepest  emo- 
tions of  their  glowing  souls.  What  was  the  world  to  them  ?  They  hoped 
to  live  and  die  among  those  wild  scenes  in  which  their  passion  had  been  cra- 
dled and  nurtured,  until  now  it  had  acquired  a  force  almost  more  than  human. 
Often  then,  and  often  even  since  the  short  period  of  their  union,  had  they 
fallen  on  their  knees  in  the  silence  and  solitude  of  the  -wilderness  around, 
and,  clasped  to  each  other's  heart,  returned  fervent  thanks  to  the  Deity,  not 
only  for  having  given  them. hearts  to  comprehend  love  in  all  its  mysterious 
and  holy  sublimity,  but  in  having  blessed  them  with  the  dearer  self  in  which 
each  other  found  pleasure  and  lived  a  double  existence.  More  calm,  more 
softened,  more  subdued  in  feeling,  after  this  passionate  ebullition,  a  holy  and 
voluptuous  calm  would  beam  from  their  eyes ;  and  when  they  alluded  gently 
and  fondly  to  the  years  and  years  of  happiness  that  yet  awaited  them  in  the 
health  and  fulness  of  their  youth,  thoughts  and  looks,  not  words,  attested  the 
deep  thankfulness  of  their  hearts. 

AH  this  had  been  up  to  the  evening  of  the  incidents  named  in  our  opening 
chapter.  Then,  for  the  first  time,  had  a  change  come  over  Maria's  feelings 
and  manner.  On  leaving  Mrs.  Headley,  she  had  retired  to  her  apartments, 
endeavoring  to  prepare  herself  for  the  momentarily  expected  arrival  of  her 
husband,  whom  she  longed,  yet  dreaded  to  meet.  She  received  him  with  a 
restraint  which  she  had  great  difficulty  in  disguising,  and  wept  many  bitter 
tears,  as,  anxiously  remarking  her  changed  and  extraordinary  manner,  he 
looked  reproachfully  and  fixedly  at  her,  without,  however,  saying  a  word  that 
was  passing  in  his  mind. 

"  Nay,  nay,  Ronayne  ;  you  think  me  reserved,  altered,  to-day ;  but  indeed 
I  am  not  well.  The  cause  you  shall  know  later,  not  now — it  would  be  prema- 
ture. I  am  a  bad  dissembler,  and  cannot  look  gay  when  my  heart  is  full  of 
anguish  to  overwhelming;  but,  my  love,  I  must  entreat  a  very  great  favor 
of  you,  which  I  know  you  will  not  refuse." 

"Is  there  aught  under  heaven  that  I  can  refuse  to  my  adored  one?" 
returned  Ronayne,  tenderly  clasping  her  to  his  breast ;  "  no,  Maria,  you  have 
a  boon  to  ask,  and  the  boon  shall  be  granted." 

"  After  all,  it  is  not  a  ^ery  great  deal,"  she  remarked,  with  a  sickly  smile  ; 
"  but  I  have  a  strong  desire  to  ride  to  Hardscrabble  to-morrow.  You  know 
it  is  long  since  I  have  been  there,  and  I  hav6  a  particular  reason  to  visit  it  in 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  15 

the  course  of  the  afternoon  to-morrow."  Her  v^iee  trembled,  and  she  felt  ill 
at  ease. 

Her  husband  looked  grave.  "  Nay,  Maria,  is  this  wise  ?  You  know, 
as  you  have  just  said,  that  you  have  not  visited  that  scene  since  the 
death  of  your  father ;  wherefore  now,  and  simply  to  reogen  a  fast-closing 
•wound  ?" 

"  It  is  for  the  reason,''  she  said,  "  that  I  have  so  long  neglected  this  duty 
that  I  am  the  more  anxious  to  repair  the  seeming  neglect." 

"  Your  first  visit,"  remarked  Ronayne,  half  reproachfully,  "  methinks  ought 
to  have  been  to  the  gi'ave  of  your  poor  mother.  You  have  not  been  over  to  the 
cottage  since  her  death." 

Had  an  arrow  passed  through  the  heart  of  Mrs.  Ronayne,  it  could  not 
have  imparted  more  exquisitely  keen  sensations  than  did  that  casual 
remark.  She  turned  pale,  but  made  no  reply ;  nay,  almost  fell  fainting  on 
his  bosom. 

"What,  my  soul's  beloved,  is  the  matter?  Nay,  pardon  me  for  bringing 
up  again  the  memory  so  suddenly  upon  your  gentle  thought !  I  should  have 
used  more  caution  in  renewing  the  recollection  of  the  past." 

"  Say  rather  of  the  present,"  murmured  Mrs.  Ronayne,  in  a  tone  so  low 
that  she  could  not  be  distinctly  heard  by  her  husband.  "  Oh,  this  poor 
heart !" 

"  You  spoke,  Maria  ?'' 

"  Oh,  I  did  but  repeat  ray  dreamings  to  myself.  I  scarcely  know  what  I 
said." 

"  Well,  love,  since  you  desire  to  ride  to  Hardscrabble  to-morrow,  I  will 
even  meet  your  Avishes  ;  and  yet  I  know  not  how  it  is,  but  something  tells 
me  that  ill  will  grow  out  of  this.'' 

"  Oh,  no,  say  not  so,"  she  suddenly  exclaimed,  sinking  on  her  knees  at  his 
feet,  and  holding  up  her  hands  in  an  attitude  of  supphcation  ;  "  can  that  be 
ill  in  your  eyes  which  brings  happiness  to  the  heart  of  your  loving  wife  ? 
Pity  rather  the  existence  of  those  feare  which  cause  her  to  tremble,  lest  the 
cup  be  dashed  from  her  lips  ere  yet  half  tasted.  Oh  !  I  dare  not  speak  more 
plainly — not  yet — not  yet — to-morrow — then  shall  the  restraint  be  removed 
from  my  lips  and  heart,  and,  whatever  be  the  result,  you  shall  know  all.  I 
feel  that  to  you  I  must  appear  to  speak  in  parables  and  mystery  ;  but  oh, 
since  yesterday,  I  feel  that  I  am  not  myself." 

She  drooped  her  head  upon  his  shoulder,  and  wept  profoundly. 

"  Calm  yourself,  dearest ;  I  will  harass  you  with  no  more  converse  on  this 
subject  to-night.  Let  one  remark  suffice.  I  am  afraid  that  Captain  Headley 
will  refuse  permission  for  us  to  venture  as  far  as  Hardscrabble ;  he  thinks  it 
attended  by  risk  to  the  officers  on  the  part  of  the  Indians ;  of  course,  much 
more  to  you." 

"  Nay,  Ronayne,  there  cannot  surely  be  a  greater  risk  incurred  there  than 
in  venturing  on  a  fishing  excursion,  as  you  have  done  to-night.  Besides,  we 
need  not  let  him  know  that  we  are  going  in  that  direction." 

"  What !  you  wicked  mutineer,"  chided  Ronayne,  playfully,  "  do  you 
recommend  insubordination  ?  Would  you  have  me  to  disobey  the  orders  of 
the  commanding  officer  ?     Ob,  fie  !" 

"  Not  exactly  that,"  she  returned,  with  a  shght  blush  ;  "  but  gratify  me 
only  this  once,  and  I  will  never  allow  you  to  break  an  order  again." 


IC  WAr-NAN-GEE  ;     OR, 

"  Naj'^,  sweetost,  I  did  but  jest ;  were  my  life  the  penalty,  I  would  not  deny 
you." 

"  AU !  how  little  does  lie  think  that  more  than  life  depends  upon  it,"  mur- 
mured Mrs.  Ronayne  to  hei^sclf.  "  Or  who  could  have  supposed  yesterday 
that  ray  heart  ■\i-ould  have  been  oppressed  by  the  feelings  which  assail  it 
now  ?  Wau-nan-gee — strange,  wildly-loving,  fascinating,  and  incomprehen- 
sible boy — with  what  confidence  do  I  repose  on  your  truth ;  with  what  joy 
do  I  at  length  glory  in  that  devotedness  which  has  made  you  so  wholly,  so 
exclusively  mine." 

These  words  were  abstractedly,  almost  involuntarily,  uttered  in  a  low  tone, 
as  Ronayne  left  the  room  in  search  of  Doctor  Von  Voltenberg,  who  he  was 
desirous  should,  for  the  better  jirotection  of  his  wife  from  accident,  accompany 
them  on  their  ride  of  to-morrow. 

She  herself  soon  retired  for  the  niglit,  but  not  to  rest. 

In  that  wild  and  simple  garrison,  where  the  germs  of  the  heart  and  head 
alone  shone  forth,  reflecting  their  brilliancy  and  beauty  more  forcibly  from 
the  fact  of  the  very  limitation  of  their  sphere  of  contact,  there  was  no  sacri- 
fice to  the  mere  conventionalisms  of  inane  fashion.  Customs  thei-e  were 
military  customs,  duly  observed,  and  not  less  than  treason  against  the  state 
would  it  have  been  considered  by  Captain  Headley,  had  any  officer  of  his 
sallied  forth  without  being  duly  caparisoned  as  a  member  of  the  coi-jis  to 
which  he  belonged ;  but  in  all  things  else,  and  where  duty  was  not  involved, 
each  was  free  to  adopt  the  style  of  costume  or  the  general  habits  that  best 
suited  his  own  fancy.  And,  whenever  inclined,  they  were  suffered  to  leave 
the  fort,  either  dressed  in  the  rough,  shaggy  blanket  of  the  Canadian  tra])per 
or  voyageur,  or  the  more  fanciful  and  picturesque  dress  of  the  Indian.  This 
had  not  always  been  the  case.  Captain  Headley  had  once  been  as  severe  as 
he  now  was  indulgent,  and  the  uttermost  conformity  of  costume  with  the 
regulations  of  the  United  States  had  for  a  long  period  been  exacted ;  but 
graduall}^,  on  finding,  as  he  conceived,  the  Indians  around  him  too  favorably 
disposed  to  require  the  continuance  of  tlie  imposing  military  parade  with 
which  it  had  been  his  policy  to  awe  them,  he  had  gi'adu.ally  relaxed  in  his 
system  of  discipline,  conceding  not  more  to  his  officers  themselves  than  to  his 
noble  and  amiable  wife,  who  was  ever  the  soother  of  whatever  temporary 
differences  s}>rang  up  betM'een  them,  many  little  points  of  etiquette,  to  which 
formerl}^  he  had  most  scrupulously  adhered. 

Among  the  varieties  of  dresses  possessed  by  Ensign  Ronayne,  was  a  very 
handsome  one  which  the  mother  of  Wau-nan-gee,  for  whom  it  was  made, 
had  disposed  of  to  him  ;  and  this,  when  preparing  for  the  ride  the  next  day, 
his  wife  strongly  advised  him  to  wear.  As  he  knew  there  could  be  no 
objection  on  the  part  of  Captain  Headley  only  to  the  direction  in  which  they 
rode,  and  that  only  from  the  possibility  of  encountering  a  party  of  hostile 
Indians,  and  not  to  the  costume  itself,  he  laughingly  remarked  that  her  old 
flame,  Wau-nan-gee,  had  certainly  made  a  deeper  impression  on  her  heart 
than  she  was  willing  to  admit,  since  no  dress  pleased  her  half  so  v,-ell  as  that 
which  had  once  been  worn  by  the  gentle  and  dark-eyed  youth. 

For  a  moment  or  two  she  turned  pale,  and  then  suddenly  flushing  the 
deepest  dye,  as  the  sense  of  her  husband's  remark  came  fully  upon  her 
apprehension,  she  said,  not  without  some  pain  and  confusion,  mingled  witli 
gentle  reproach : — 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  17 

''  You  seem  to  have  foi'gotten,  Roiiayuo,  that  that  was  the  dress  you 
%vore  oil  an  occasion  of  danger,  when  Ute  and  dealli  and  ha])piness  hung 
upon  the  issue.     Might  I  not  have  the  credit  of  prizing  it  on  that  account?" 

"  Nay,  heloTcd  one,"  he  exchiimed,  as  he  pressed  her  to  his  heart,  "  you 
know  i  did  but  jest.  Then  was  my  strong  love  for  yourself,  my  protection 
and  my  shield  ;  and  if  that  love  was  powerful  then,  what  irresistible  strength 
lias  it  attained  now.  Maria,  I  would  fain  desire  to  live  for  ever,  if  but  to 
show  the  vastness  and  enduringness  of  my  love  for  you." 

"  Ah  !  to  what,  a  trial  am  I  to  be  subjected,''  she  murmured,  "  and  yet  I 
would  not  shun  it.  Why  has  the  calm  deep  current  of  our  joy  been  thus 
cruelly  interrupted,  Ronayne  ?  Sliould  fate  or  circumstances  ever  interpose 
to  separate  us,  will  you  always  entertain  for  me  the  same  ardent  affection  that 
you  do  now  ?'' 

"  Heavens !  why  do  you  ask  ?  What  means  tliis  question  ?  What  is 
there  to  divide  us"?  nay,  even  separate  us  for  an  hour?" 

"  Oh  !  I  cannot  explain  myself,"  she  returned.  "  I  know  I  speak  wildly, 
but  I  only  mean  in  the  possible  event  of  anything-  of  the  kind.  I  do  not 
say  that  it  may  or  v,ill  happen  ;  but  you  know  it  might.  None  o£  these 
things  are  impossible.     AVe  cannot  control  our  d(;stiny." 

"  Well,  my  love,"  remarked  Ronayne,  with  a  sigh,  while  an  expression  of 
gravity  and  sadness  pervaded  his  features,  "  it  cannot  be  denied  that  you  have 
adopted  some  strange  fancies  this  morning ;  firstly,  a  desire  to  visit  Hard- 
scrabble,  a  |)lace  which  you  have  always  hitherto  carefully  avoided  ;  secondly, 
to  see  me  dressed  in  a  costume  wliich  I  have  not  worn  since  the  occasion  to 
which  j-ou  have  just  adverted ;  and  thiidly,  to  frighten  me  to  death  by  even 
hinting  at  the  possibility  of  separation.  By  the  bye,"  he  added,  "  it  is  a 
very  long  time  si7ice  we  have  seen  Wau-nan-gee.  You  know  he  disappeared 
the  night  of  our  marriage,  and  has  never  been  seen  since.  I  wonder  what 
can  have  become  of  him.  Would  you  not  like  once  more,  Maria,  to  see  his 
handsome  face  ?  I  shall  never  forget  the  eagerness  with  which  he  picked 
up  the  vFedding-i'ing  ^^hich  I  hail  let  foil  in  the  act  of  putting  it  on  your 
finger,  or  the  look  of  deep  clisappointment  v.hon  I  rather  abruptly — nay, 
somewhat  rudely — snatched  it  from  him,  as  he  trerabhngly  proceeded 
to  complete  that  part  of  the  ceremony  himself.  It  certainly  looked  very 
ominous." 

It  was  a  great  relief  to  Mrs.  Ronayne  when,  at  the  very  moment  that  her 
husband  ceased  speaking,  a  knock  was  heard  at  the  door,  and  in  the  next 
moment  the  figure  of  Doctor  Von  Voltenbcrg  crossed  the  thresliold.  He 
came  to  aimounce  that  the  horses  were  already  saddled,  and  waiting  for 
them.  With  a  heart  full  to  oppression,  she  left  the  room,  and  regained  her 
chamber.  There  she  threw  herself  upon  her  knees  at  the  bedside,  and  burst 
into  a  paroxysm  of  tears.  It  was  the  first  time  she  had  been  alone  since  the 
occurrence  at  the  summer-house  ;  the  first  opportunity  she  had  had  of  giv- 
ing unrestrained  indulgence  to  the  powerful  emotions  that  had  for  many 
hours  hung  like  an  immovable  weight  upon  her  soul.  The  first  outburst  of 
hitherto-suppressed  feeling  over,  she  became  more  calm.  She  felt  that  her  long 
absence  might  excite  surprise.  A  basin  of  cold  water  soon  removed  all  traces 
of  her  tears,  and  in  less  than  half  an  hour  she  had  regained  the  party,  her 
beautiful  form  clad  in  a  dark  green  riding  habit  made  of  cloth  of  the  lightest 
texture,  and  her  full  dark  hair,  surmounted  bv  a  straw  hat  tastily  plaiteu  and 

2 


18  -VrAU-NAN-GEE  ;     OR, 

fashioned  by  her  own  hands,  and  trimmed  with  a  broad,  pale,  and  richly- 
bordered  ribbon. 

Ronaync's  eye  caught  her  own  as  she  entered.  Never  liad  she 
appeared  so  strikingly  beautiful.  lie  said  nothing,  but  the  rich  Virgi- 
nian blood  mounted  to  his  cheek,  while  his  expressive  eye  conveyed,  as 
plainly  as  language  itself  could  render  it,  how  ardent  and  enduring  was 
his  love. 

That  look  heightened  the  color  on  her  own  enchanting  face,  but  it  was 
only  for  the  moment,  and  evidently  caused  by  some  absorbing  recollection 
of  an  absent  friend.  She  turned  away  her  head  to  conceal  the  tear  that 
forced  itself  down  her  cheek,  and  then  everything  being  ready — for  Ronayne 
had  availed  himself  of  her  absence  to  assume  his  Indian  dress — the  party 
went  to  the  barrack  square,  and  were  soon  in  the  saddle. 
9  "  God  bless  her !"  ejaculated  Corporal  Collins,  as,  after  relinquishing  the 
bridle  he  had  held  Avhile  her  husband  assisted  her  to  mount,  the  graceful 
form  of  Mrs.  Ronayne  receded  from  his  view,  leaving  him  once  more  to 
resume  his  monotonous  walk  in  front  of  the  building.  "  Ah,  there  is  nobody 
like  that  sweet  lady  1" 

"  There  goes  an  angel !"  said  Sergeant  Nixon  in  a  low  voice  to  his  compa- 
nions of  the  guard,  all  of  whom  off  sentry  had  risen,  and  were  now  standing 
all  attention,  as  the  little  party  passed  towards  the  gate. 

"  Isn't  she  a  trump  !''  said  another  man  of  the  guard — Weston.  "  See 
how  she  sits  her  horse — just  as  if  she  had  been  born  to  it.'' 

"  Sergeant  Nixon,"  said  Maria,  in  one  of  her  sweetest  tones,  as  she  moved 
her  horse  towards  the  non-commissioned  otScer  in  passing. 

The  Sergeant  touched  his  cap  with  marked  respect. 

"  Should  anything  occur  to  detain  us  -in  our  ride,  let  this  packet  be  given 
to  Mrs.  Headley.     Mind,  Sergeant,  certainly  not  before  midnight." 

"If our  command  shall  be  obeyed,  JMrs.  Ronayne.  Should  you  return 
before  midnight,  it  will  be  found  with  me  ;  if  not,  I  shall  at  once  carry  it  to 
Mrs.  Headley." 

"  Just  so.  Good  by,  Nixon  !"  and  as  she  placed  the  packet  in  his  posses- 
sion, she  pressed  his  hand,  as  if  to  signify  that  th»  proper  execution  of  the 
commission  was  of  some  importance. 

"  What  is  it,  Maria  ?  wliat  do  you  wait  for  f  asked  Ronayne,  reining  in 
his  horse  to  enable  her  to  come  vip. 

"Nothing.  I  am  merely  sending  a  trifling  message  to  Mrs.  Headley  by 
Sergeant  Nixon,"  and  then  putting  her  horse  into  a  canter,  she  joined  her 
cavaliers,  and  pursued  with  them  the  road  that  led  along  the  right  bank  of  a 
branch  of  the  Chicago  river  to  the  Harbscrabble  farm. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

You  see  this  cbase  is  hotly  followed. — Henry  V. 

The  spot  called  Hardscrabble  was  distant  about  two  miles  from  Fort 
Dearborn,  and  had  been  the  scene  of  a  recent  and  bloody  tragedy.     Tbey 


THE    MASRACUE    AT    CHICAGO.  19 

who  are  familiar  with  the  events  that  occurred  during  a  different  and  earlier 
phase  of  this  tale  are  aware  that,  not  four  months  previously,  the  father  of 
Mrs.  Ronayne  had,  as  well  as  a  faithful  domestic,  been  cruelly  murdered 
there,  during-  a  period  of  profound  peace,  by  a  party  of  Winnebagoes,  and 
that,  on  the  removal  of  his  body  to  the  grounds  of  the  cottage,  near  the  fort, 
in  which  his  wife  and  daughter  resided,  the  house  had  been  hermetically 
closed.  The  outrage  upon  Mr.  Ileywood  had  taken  place  early  in  ApriJ. 
It  was  now,  as  has  already  been  said,  the  7th  of  August,  and  within  that 
period  Mrs.  Ronayne  had  drunk  deeply  of  the  cup  of  reciprocated  wedded 
bliss,  she  had  also  known  the  anguish  of  the  severance  of  every  natural  tie. 
Both  her  parents  were  buried  near  the  summer-house,  and,  had  it  not  been 
for  the  fervent  love  of  her  husband — a  love  that  daily  increased  in  purity 
and  intensity — even  the  great  strength  of  mind  for  which  she  was  remark- 
able would  have  ill  enabled  her  to  endure  the  twofold  shock.  But,  even 
with  all  his  love,  the  natural  melancholy  of  her  character  became  tinged 
with  an  additional  shade  of  seriousness,  which,  far  from  being  displeasing,  or 
detracting  from  the  sweetness  of  her  most  expressive  and  faultless  face, 
seemed  to  invest  it  with  a  newer  and  a  hoher  charm.  The  perfection  of 
her  classic  style  of  beauty  given  as  Maria  Heywood,  may  well  justify  a 
repetition  here. 

Above  the  middle  size,  her  figure  was  at  once  gracefully  and  richly 
formed.  Her  face,  of  a  chiselled  oval,  was  of  a  delicate  oUve  tint,  which 
well  harmonized  with  eyes  of  a  lustrous  hazel,  and  hair  of  glossy,  raven 
black,  of  rare  amplitude  and  length.  A  mouth  classically  small,  bordered 
b}^  lips  of  coral  fulness,  disclosed,  when  she  smiled,  teeth  white  and  even ; 
while  a  forehead,  high  and  denoting  strong  intellect,  combined  with  a  nose 
somewhat  more  aquiline  than  Grecian,  to  give  dignity  to  a  countenance  that 
might  otherwise  have  exhibited  too  much  of  a  character  of  voluptuous 
beaut)^.  Yet,  although  her  features,  Avhen  lighted  up  by  vivacity  or  emo- 
tion, were  radiant  with  intelligence,  their  expression  when  in  repose  was  of 
a  pensive  cast,  that,  contrasted  with  her  general  appearance,  gave  to  it  a 
charm,  addressed  at  once  to  sense  and  sentiment,  of  which  it  is  impossible 
by  description  to  give  an  adequate  idea.  A  dimpled  cheek — an  arm,  hand, 
and  foot,  that  might  have  served  the  statuary  as  a  model,  completed  a 
person  which,  without  exaggeration,  might  be  deemed  almost,  if  not  wholly, 
faultless. 

For  some  minutes,  as  the  party  rode  along  the  road  bordering  on  the 
serpentine  branch  of  the  Chicago  leading  to  Hardscrabble,  Mrs.  Ronayne, 
apprehensive  that  her  husband  might  attribute  any  appearance  of  depression 
of  spirits  to  physical  illness,  and  insist  on  postponing  her  ride  to  some  future 
occasion,  fell,  as  most  people  do  who  are  sensible  that  for  the  first  time  in 
their  lives  they  are  acting  with  insincerity,  into  the  very  opposite  extreme. 
With  a  consciousness  of  wrong  at  her  heart — with  a  soul  distracted  with 
uncertainty  and  hesitancy  as  to  the  result  of  the  course  sheAvas  pursuing — she 
indulged  in  a  gaiety  that,  in  her,  was  wholly  unnatural.  She  rattled,  talked, 
laughed  with  ill-timed  volubility — offered  to  make  wagers  with  the  surgeon 
and  Ronayne  that  she  would  take  her  horse  over  the  highest  fallen  log,  or, 
if  they  preferred  it,  swim  with  either  of  them  across  the  river,  and  lastly 
proposed  that  they  should  start  together  and  see  who  would  first  reach  the 
farm-house.     All  this  time  the  deepest  scarlet  was  on  her  cheek,  her  manner 


80  'WAU-NAN-GEK  ;    OK, 

betrayed  the  most  feverish  excitement,  and  there  was  unwonted  hrilliancy 
in  lier  eye. 

Ronayne  looked  at  her  earnestly.  Suddenly  a  channje  came  over  her,  for 
nhe  had  remarked,  and  felt  confused  under  the  penetrating  glance  which 
seemed  to  tell  her  that  she  did  not  feel  that  lightness  of  heart  with  the  sem- 
blance of  which  she  was  seeking  to  deceive  him.  For  the  first  time  since 
his  marriage — nay,  for  the  first  time  since  his  acquaintance  with  her — and 
this  had  been  of  more  than  two  years'  date — he  felt  pain — pain  inOicted 
by  her.  There  was  evidently  some  secret  thought  at  her  hcait  which  she 
withheld ;  and  she  who  had  never  before  concealed  a  passing  emotion  of 
her  soul,  was  now  wrapped  up  in  an  unaccountable  mystery. 

In  proportion  with  her  husband's  increasing  gravity,  Mrs.  Ronayne's  spi- 
rits became  depressed,  mitil  in  reality  enfeebled  by  her  strong  previous 
excitement,  she  looked  pale  as  death  itself,  and  expressed  a  desire  for  a 
glass  of  water. 

Deeply  touched  and  alarmed  by  the  sudden  change  which  had  taken 
place  in  his  wife's  appearance  and  manner,  Ronayne  threw  himself  from  his 
horse,  and,  being  provided  with  a  silver  drinking  cup,  flew  to  the  river  to 
fill  it.  In  order  to  obtain  the  liquid  pure  and  cool,  however,  it  was  neces- 
sary to  turn  a  small  and  acute  point  of  underwood,  a  little  to  the  right, 
where  a  few  rude  stone  stops  led  to  a  sort  of  natural  well,  Avhere,  even  in 
the  hottest  day  of  summer,  the  beverage  came  fresh  as  from  a  coral  foun- 
tain. It  was  a  spot  well  known  to  every  frequenter  of  that  road,  and  few 
passers-by  ever  drank  from  any  otiier  source. 

The  young  officer  was  in  the  act  of  dipping  his  cup  into  the  stream, 
when  three  shots  were  distinctly  heard  in  the  neighborhood  of  Ilardscrab- 
l>le,  then  about  half  a  mile  distant,  and  after  the  interval  of  a  few  seconds, 
the  rapid  galloping  of  horses'  hoofs  behind  him.  With  an  inconceivable 
dread  of  he  knew  not  Avhat  at  his  heart,  he  sprang  round  the  point  of  wood 
to  gain  the  road  Avhere  he  had  left  liis  wife  and  Von  Voltenberg.  To  his 
astonishment  both  were  gone.  They  were  the  hoofs  of  their  horses  he  had 
heard — his  own  -was  tied  to  a  tree,  as  he  had  left  him,  and  malung  endea- 
vors to  free  himself,  that  he  might  follow  his  companions. 

We  "will  not  attempt  to  describe  the  feelings  of  Ronayne.  The  mere  dis- 
appearance of  the  party  might  have  been  accounted  for,  had- it  not  been  for 
the  shots  which  preceded.  But  the  association  was  terrible.  It  bewil- 
dered him — almost  deprived  him  of  thought  and  judgment.  Evidently, 
there  was  an  enemy  in  the  neighborhood  ;  but,  even  if  so,  why  the  obvious 
advance  into  the  very  heart  of  danger ;  for,  from  the  direction  of  the  sound, 
he  could  have  no  doubt  that  one  horse,  at  least,  had  taken  the  direction  of 
Hardscrabble,  and  that,  from  the  peculiar  and  i-apid  footfall  of  the  animal, 
he  felt  assured  Avas  his  wife's. 

What  could  this  mean  ?  Mrs.  Ronayne's  he  knew  to  be  a  veiy  spiiited 
young  horse,  and  the  only  manner  in  which  he  could  explain  her  absence 
was  by  inferring  that,  startled  by  the  report  of  the  firearms,  he  had  sud- 
denly run  away  with  her,  and  that  Von  Voltenberg  had  followed  as  speedily 
as  he  could  to  check  him. 

He  dashed  the  cup  of  water  to  the  earth,  mounted,  and  dug  liis  spurs  in 
the  flanks  of  his  horse,  when  the  latter,  bounding  forward  with  agony  under 
the  exquisite  sense  of  pain,  seemed  rather  to  leap  than  run  over  the  ground 


THE  MASSACRK  AT  CHICAaO.  21 

Fifty  yards  from  the  point  where  he  started,  something  glaringly  white  on 
the  ground  frightened  the  animal  and  caused  him  to  shy  so  abruptly,  even 
while  continuing  his  speed,  that  Ronayne,  excellent  horseman  as  he  was, 
had  great  difficulty  in  preserving  his  seat.  Rapid  as  was  the  glance 
obtained  of  the  object,  he  at  once  recognised  it  for  the  habit  collar  of  his 
Avife,  and  therefore  all  uncertainty  was  at ,  an  end  as  to  the  direction  hei* 
horse  had  taken.  His  heart  was  full,  but  he  had  scarcely  power  to  think. 
A  thousand  incidents  and  fears  seemed  to  crowd  ujion  his  brain  at  tlie  same 
time,  and  in  such  confusion  that  he  felt  as  th<jugh  his  very  reason  were 
deserting  him.  The  recollection  of  the  strong  presentiment  of  evil  which  he 
had  expressed  in  regard  to  this  ride  came  with  tenfold  force  on  his  mind, 
and  scarce  left  a  hope  to  weigh  against  tlie  fears  that  overwhelmed  him. 

Still  he  dashed  on,  straining  his  eyes  as  though  he  would  have  doubled 
the  extent  of  his  vision,  looking  searchingly  into  every  opening  into  the 
wood,  and  endeavoring  to  distinguish,  amid  the  rapid  sounds  produced  by 
liis  own  horse's  hoofs,  those  of  his  companions.  It  seemed  an  age  v.hile  he 
passed  over  the  ground  that  kept  him  from  the  fatal  farm-house.  At  length 
the  orchard  attached  to  it  came  in  view,  and  then  the  garden,  and  on  the 
broad  lane  which  separated  both,  the  large  walnut  tree  the  branches  of 
which,  two  months  before  covered  with  snowy  blossoms,  were  now  bent 
low  by  the  weight  pf  their  own  fruitfulness.  In  another  instant,  he  was  m 
the  centre  of  the  open  space.  Uncertain  what  course  to  follow  now,  he 
checked  his  generous  steed  so  suddenly  and  fiercely  as  to  throw  him  upon 
his  haunches.  Everything  was  still.  Beyond  the  breathing  of  his  own  horse, 
there  was  not  a  sound  to  indicate  the  existence  of  animal  life.  The  Indians 
had  evidently  destroyed  all  the  stock  on  the  farm  since  its  abandonment, 
and  melancholy  appeared  here  to  have  estabhshed  universal  dominion. 
This  suspense  was  torture — the  silence  horrible.  He  would  rather  have 
heard  the  Indian  scalp-cry — heard  the  death-shriek — anything,  provided  it 
would  guide  him  to  the  form  of  her  he  loved.  Beyond  this  forest  there 
was  nothing  that  could  be  called  a  road.  A  few  narrow  footpaths  diverged 
from  it  into  the  forest,  ^mt  these  were  merely  sufficiently  broad  for  tlie  pas- 
sage by  Indian  file,  except  on  the  immediate  verge  of  the  river,  where  horse 
and  rider  inight  barely  escape  collision  with  the  branches.  The  bank,  over 
tvhich  this  apology  for  a  highway  ran,  was  composed  of  a  sandy  soil,  so 
that  sound  was  not  absolutely  necessary  to  the  assurance  that  horsemen 
were  on  that  road.  From  its  absence,  however,  in  every  other  quarter,  the 
distracted  officer  was  naturally  led  to  infer  that  they  whom  he  so  anxiously 
sought  had  taken  that  direction,  and  thither  he  determined  to  follow.  But 
a  second  thought  induced  him  to  turn  the  angle  of  the  house,  before  leaving, 
that  he  might  not  have  to  reproach  himself  later  with  having  left  anything 
unexamined  behind.  To  his  great  surprise  he  found  the  door,  which  he 
had  himself  hermetically  closed  many  weeks  before,  wide  open.  His  first 
purpose,  after  sweeping  his  eye  rapidly  but  keenly  around  the  half-trodden 
cornfield  in  the  rear,  was  to  enter.  This,  in  order  not  to  lose  time,  and  the 
rude  aperture  being  sufficiently  large,  he  did  without  dismounting. 

As  his  horse  sprang  in,  he  thought  he  could  distinguish  a  moccasined  foot 
just  at  the  moment  of  its  hurried  disappearance  into  the  loft  above,  but 
everything  was  so  still  that  he  felt  satisfied  his  distempereil  imagination  and 
excited  feeling,  running  on  one  all-absorbing  subject,  had  deceived  him. 


22  "WAC-NAN-OEK  ;    OR, 

He  looked  around.  Two  dark  objects  attracted  liis  attention,  in  the  far- 
thest corner  from  liim,  of  the  room,  the  shutters  of  which  being  closed, 
•yielded  but  an  indistinct  light  to  one  coming  suddenly  from  tlic  open  air. 
lie  moved  his  horse,  stooping  low  himself  as  he  advanced  to  that  end  of 
the  rude  apartment,  and  beheld  to  his  surprise,  two  small  trunks  of  black 
leather,  on  one  of  which  was  painted  in  rather  large  letters  "  Maria  Iley- 
wood."  The  other  had  no  name  upon  it,  but  lie  could  have  pledged  his 
existence  that,  not  one  week  previously,  he  had  seen  it  in  his  own  apart- 
ment, and  that  it  was  his.  That,  however,  might  be  a  mistake,  for  it  was 
difficult  to  distinguish  with  certainty  ;  but  in  regard  to  the  proprietorship 
of  the  other  there  could  be  no  question,  and  the  only  reasonable  manner 
in  which  he  could  account  for  their  being  there  at  that  moment,  was,  that 
the  trunks  had  been  in  use  by  Mr.  Ileywood  at  the  period  of  his  murder, 
and  that,  having  been  overlooked  by  the  Indians,  they  had  been  locked  up, 
on  closing  the  farm-house  altogether. 

It  must  not  be  supposed  that  the  young  officer  took  as  much  time  to 
comprehend  and  draw  inferences  from  what  he  saw,  as  we  have  taken  in 
the  description.  A  few  rapid  glances  only  were  thrown  around,  when, 
satisfied  that  there  was  no  more  to  aid  him  in  his  search,  he  turned  his 
horse's  head  to  gam  the  broader  pathway  which,  it  has  already  been  said, 
bordered  on  the  river.  Again  he  sallied  from  the  house,  but  his  emotions 
of  alarm  and  surprise  may  be  conceived — not  springing  from  any  personal 
consideration,  but  from  the  certainty  he  now  entertained  of  the  probable 
fate  of  his  wife — when,  on  gaining  the  exterior,  he  perceived,  not  fifty  yards 
from  him,  a  party  of  Indians,  about  twenty  in  number,  some  scattered  along 
the  edge  of  the  wood,  and  others  peering  cautiously  around  the  corners  of 
the  outbuildings.  Although  his  heart  sank  within  him  at  the  sight,  and 
the  image  of  his  Maria  was  at  the  moment  uppermost  in  his  thoughts — 
stood  palpably  before  him  as  she  looked  at  the  very  moment  when  she 
stood  first  equipped  for  this  most  imfortunate  ride — his  keen  and  collected 
eye  could  distinguish  the  very  color  of  the  war  paint,  for  they  were  in  full 
costume,  and  the  peculiar  decorations  that  told  them  to  be  of  their  old  and 
inveterate  enemies  the  Winnebagoes. 

There  are  epochs  in  life  when  the  thoughts  of  years  crowd  upon  the 
mind  in  little  more  than  moments.  All  the  past  then  seems  to  flash  full 
upon  the  recollection,  and  in  such  rapid  yet  distinct  succession,  that  the 
only  surprise  is  how  the  brain  can  sustain  the  torturing  and  confounding 
weight.  No  one  incident  of  the  slightest  interest  had  ever  occurred  to  his  wife 
and  himself  that  Ronayne  did  not  recal  vividly,  keenly,  even  while  gazing 
on  those  men  of  blood ;  and  he  suffered  anguish  of  heart,  physical  as  well 
as  mental,  which  none  can  understand  who  have  not  experienced  that  rend- 
ing asunder  of  the  soul  which  follows  the  loss  of  that  in  which  the  soul 
alone  lives.  Presently,  as  his  quick  eye  glanced  rapidly  along  the  wood, 
he  saw,  to  his  increasing  dismay.  Von  Voltenberg  brought  forward  to  its 
edge  by  two  other  Indians  leading  the  horse  by  the  bridle.  He  was,  evi- 
dently, a  prisoner.  Oh,  how  he  strained  his  eyes  with  painful,  with  agoniz- 
ing  earnestness,  to  behold  her  whom  he  expected  to  behold  next,  and  how 
rapidly  rose  the  feeling  of  hope  and  exultation  when  he  found  no  second 
prisoner  appear.  He  now  felt  assured  that  his  last  chance  of  recovering 
the  lost  one  lay  in  his  pursuing  the  course  he  had  at  first  selected.     The 


THE    MASSACRE    AT    CHICAGO.  23 

prospect  of  eluding  his  enemies  and  gaining  that  road  was  poor,  for  there 
was  but  one  way  open  to  him — almost  in  their  very  teeth — yet  this  he  was 
resolved  to  try.  Death  was  before  him  if  he  hesitated ;  although,  had  he 
beheld  his  wife  a  prisoner,  he  would  rather  have  shared  a  similar  fate  than 
abandoned  her  in  her  extremity,  now  that  a  hope  had  sprung  up  in  his 
heart — his  energies  were  aroused,  and  renewed  activity  braced  his  limbs. 


CHAPTER  V. 

On  the  right  of  the  farm-house  called  Hardscrabble,  as  it  faced  the 
water,  there  was  a  kitchen  garden,  the  fence  of  whicli  was  quite  five  feet 
high,  and  scattered  about  v/ithin  this  were  standing,  now  almost  shrivelled 
up  from  age,  many  clusters  of  peas  and  beans  pending  lazily  and  languidly 
from  their  poles.  To  force  his  way  across  this  fence,  and  then  diagonally 
through  the  garden  in  order  to  gain  the  opposite  corner  and  cross  into  the 
road  beyond,  Avas  now  the  sole  object  of  the  young  officer ;  but  before  put- 
ting it  in  practice,  he  called  out  in  a  loud  and  distinct  voice  to  Von  Volten- 
berg  to  know  what  had  become  of  his  Avife,  and  whether  she  too  was  a  pri- 
soner. But  there  was  no  answer.  The  Doctor  had  evidently  been  enjoined 
not  to  reply,  for,  immediately  after  he  had  put  his  question,  Ronayne  saw 
an  Indian  hold  up  his  tomahawk  menacingly  to  the  prisoner,  and  heard  him 
utter  some  words  as  if  to  enjoin  silence.  Seemingly  desirous,  however,  at 
all  risk  to  satisfy  his  friend,  Von  Volte nberg  suddenly  raised  his  hand,  and 
seemed  to  point  significantly  over  his  shoulder  in  an  oblique  direction  to  the 
rear.  This  convinced  RonajTie  that  he  had  been  correct  in  his  conjecture, 
for  the  direction  was  the  road  he  intended  taking.  Gathering  himself  up 
in  his  saddle,  he  slowly  walked  his  horse  about  twenty  paces  towards  the 
edge  of  the  forest.  This  was  done  both  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  any 
suspicion  of  an  attempt  at  flight,  and  of  giving  sufficient  run  for  his  leap. 
Then  suddenly  wheeling  round,  he  put  the  animal  to  his  speed,  and,  amid 
the  loud  shouts  of  the  Indians,  who  rushed  forward  from  every  point  to 
overtake  him,  accomplished  the  desperate  leap,  the  tips  of  his  horse's  hoofs 
just  grazing  as  he  passed.  Encumbered  with  their  arms  as  they  Avere,  it 
took  each  Indian,  howcA-er  active,  at  least  a  second  to  clear  the  fence,  and 
this  gaA-e  the  young  officer  considerable  advantage  of  distance ;  but  what 
surprised  him  was  that  not  a  shot  Avas  fired.  It  seemed  as  though  his  pur- 
suers thought  it  beneath  their  dignity  to  fire  at  a  single  fleeing  man,  whom 
they  were  certain  of  taking,  and  matter  of  riA'alry  with  all  to  be  the  first  to 
reach  and  secure.  OnAvard  they  pressed  now  without  uttering  a  sound ; 
but  the  rattling  of  their  Avar  ornaments,  with  the  crackling  of  the  decayed 
vegetation  beneath  their  feet,  told  Ronayne  that  they  were  too  near  for  him 
to  hope  for  escape,  unless  his  horse  should  clear  the  opposite  corner  of  the 
field,  and  of  this  he  almost  despaired,  jaded  as  the  animal  was  by  previous 
exertion  through  the  heavy  ground  he  was  now  traversing.  Fortunately 
he  found  that  there  was  a  perceptible  declivity  as  he  approached  the  water, 
and  not  merely  that,  but  that  one  of  the  rails  of  the  zigzag  fence  had  been 
detached.  Desperate  as  his  position  was,  this  gave  him  renewed  confidence, 
and  he  even  ventured  to  turn  and  examine  the  number  and  position  of  his 


34  WAU-NAN-GEE  ;     OR, 

enomios.  They  wove  some  twentj'  in  Tmmbcr,  all  piiinted  jierfcctly  black, 
and  dispersed  at  long  intervals  throughout  the  field.  In  front  of  all  was  a 
very  young  warrior,  who  seemed  the  most  emulous  of  the  party  to  secure 
the  honor  of  the  capture,  for  the  leaps  he  took  were  prodigious,  and  it  was 
evident  that  nothing  but  the  clearing  of  the  fence  could  save  the  closely- 
pursuod  ofiicor  from  capture.  Again  his  horse  took  the  leap,  and  tliis  time 
easily  enough ;  and  even  while  in  the  very  act,  he  thought,  he  fancied,  he 
heard  a  voice  behind  him  softly  jironounce  liis  name.  In  the  confusion  of 
his  mind,  however,  be  could  not  judge  distinctly  of  anything.  It  might 
have  been  the  sighing  of  the  wind  among  the  dried  leaves  and  tendrils  that 
floated  from  the  bean-poles  at  his  side,  and  he  regarded  it  not.  Ilis  mind 
was  too  much  intent  on,  too  much  absorbed  on  weightier  matters  to  heed 
the  occurrence.  Tlie  air  from  the  Avater  revived,  reiuvigorated  both  himself 
and  his  horse.  Again  at  full  speed,  he  dashed  on  along  its  margin  until 
suddenly,  after  having  gone  over  nearly  a  mile  of  ground,  the  conviction 
arose  to  him  that  he  must  have  been  wrong  in  his  comprehension  of  Von 
Voltenberg's  sign,  and  that  the  beloved  of  his  soul — she  for  the  uncertainty 
of  whose  fate  his  heart  suffered  an  anguish  the  most  horrible,  was  not  before 
him,  but  a  prisoner  with  her  companion.  That  thought,  growing  rapidly 
into  assurance,  was  sufficient  to  destroy  all  energy.  He  checked  his  horse, 
and  brought  him  to  a  full  stand.  As  a  soldier,  whose  services  belonged  to 
Ms  country,  he  felt  that  he  had  no  right  to  throw  himself  into  a  position 
that  would  render  those  services  useless,  but  at  least  he  would  take  no 
unnecessary  trouble  to  avoid  it.  He  turned  to  listen  to  the  sounds  of  his 
pursuers,  now  fully  resolved  to  make  no  further  attempt  at  escape.  He 
heard  nothing  but  the  rustling  of  the  leaves  and  the  guigling  of  the  water 
over  the  shallow  and  pebbly  portions  of  its  bed.  He  retraced  his  way  at  a 
walk.  That  was  his  direct  course  to  the  fort,  and  he  was  determined  lei- 
surely to  pursue  it,  taking  the  chapter  of  accidents  as  it  might  be  opened  to 
him.  Soon  he  came  to  the  point  where  he  had  first  leaped  the  garden 
fence.  He  looked  within.  There  v/as  not  an  Indian  to  be  seen.  That  they 
were  lurking  somewhere  around  him,  he  felt  perfectly  assured,  and  at  each 
nioniMit  he  expected  lo  see  them  start  up  and  seize  his  horse  by  the  bridle. 
I>ut  although  he  now  rode  slowly,  carelessly,  his  eye  was  everywhere.  The 
])athway  he  followed  led  along  a  strip  some  twenty  feet  in  width,  between  the 
garden  fence  and  the  river,  to  the  bottom  of  the  clearing  or  lawn  that  ran  to 
the  edge  of  the  latter.  Keenly  he  glanced  towards  the  skirt  of  the  forest  on 
his  left  where  he  had  first  beheld  the  sa\ages  with  their  prisoner,  but  not  a 
sign  of  one  of  them  was  to  be  seen.  All  this  was  certainly  most  extraordi- 
nary and  unaccountable,  but  lionayneknevv  the  character  of  Indian  stratageni 
too  Avell  not  to  feel  assured  that  the  very  next  moment  succeeding  that  of 
this  serpent-like  quietude,  might  be  replete  with  excitement,  and  he  was  pre- 
pared for  its  occurrence.  He  dreaded  to  advance.  He  almost  feared  that 
he  should  not  be  seen.  Every  step  forward  in  safety  increased  the  distance 
which  separated  him  from  the  idol  of  his  soul,  and  the  purest  air  of  heaven 
had  no  sweetness  for  him  that  was  not  breathed  with  her.  His  head  drooped 
upon  his  breast— he  could  hear  the  beating  of  his  own  heart.  He  prayed 
inwardly,  secretly,  fervently  to  God  to  restore  to  him  his  wife  as  by  a  miracle, 
and  save  him  from  the  madness  of  despair.  When  he  again  raised  his  head, 
he  was  startled  but  not  surprised  to  see  his  further  progress  interrupted  by 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO. 


25 


a  dozen  Indians,  spiinging  up  as  it  were  from  the  very  bowels  of  tlie  earth, 
and  standing  in  the  same  cai'eloss  and  unexcited  attitude  in  wliich  he  had 
beheld  them  at  the  outset.  Mechanically  wheeling  his  horse  to  escape  by  the 
lane,  he  beheld  a  similar  display.  He  was  evidently  hemmed  hi.  His  fur- 
ther advance  or  retreat  was, completely  intercepted. 

Truly  has  it  been  said,  we  are  the  creatures  of  circumstance.  A  moment 
before,  and  while  there  was  no  enemy  visible,  Ronayne  had  felt  the  utmost 
iudiflference  in  regard  to  a  fate  the  bitterness  of  which  would,  at  least,  have 
been  sweetened  by  the  fact  of  his  being  near  to  solace  and  sustain  his  wife. 
He  could  not  believe  that  it  was  the  i)urpose  of  the  warrioi-s  to  do  them 
bodily  harm  ;  for,  had  that  been  their  intention,  they  would,  without  doubt, 
have  fired  at  him,  when  they  found  themselves  foiled  in  their  recent  pvu-suit ; 
and  such  was  the  devotedness  of  love  of  the  man,  that  forgetting  under  the 
circumstances  the  sterner  duty  of  the  officer,  he  would  have  pieferred  the 
tent  and  bonds  of  the  savage  Jor  ever  with  her  to  the  comforts  and  freedom 
of  his  own  home,  when  the  presence  of  the  loved  and  familiar  being  in  whom 
alone  he  lived  should  no  longer  give  life  and  interest  to  the  latter.  But  now 
a  sudden  change  in  his  plans  was  resolved  upon,  for  the  same  glance  which 
had  fallen  on  the  warriors  in  his  front,  had  enabled  him  to  see,  in  the  dis- 
tance, that  Von  Voltenberg,  profiting  probably  by  the  carelessness  of  those 
k'ft  in  charge,  was  moving  stealthily  and  alone  between  the  cornfield  and  the 
building,  behind  which  he  soon  disappeared.  The  quickening  sound  of 
hoofs  immediately  succeeding  attested  that  he  was  in  full  flight,  and  then  a 
rapid  association  of  ideas  brought  to  the  strongly  imaginative  mind  of  the 
young  officer  the  conviction  that  his  v>ife  had  escaped  too,  for  he  felt  assured 
"that  Von  Voltenberg  would  not  abandon  her.  What  the  object  was  in 
endeavoring  to  secure  himself  he  could  not  tell.  The  Indians  had  evidently 
some  more  than  ordinary  motive  in  his  capture,  or  wherefore  their  gveat 
anxiety  to  take  him  ixnhurt,  and  their  seeming  indifference  in  regard  to  the 
other  prisoners,  who  had  been  left  almost  unguarded.  There  might  be  two 
reasons  for  this.  Firstly,  they  might  be  on  their  war-path,  and  therefore 
might  not  find  it  either  convenient  or  desirable  to  incumber  themselves,  on  a 
march,  with  a  woman  ;  and,  secondly,  having  discovered  the  Doctor  to  be  a 
"  medicine  man" — a  fact  of  wdiich  he  would  not  have  failed  to  apprise  them 
— they  might  not  feel  themselves  permitted  by  the  Great  Spirit  to  detain 
liim,  and  therefore,  without  absolutely  releasing,  gave  him  the  opportunity 
for  escape. 

Of  course,  all  these  reflections  were  tbe  result  of  but  a  momentary  action 
of  the  brain.  Ronayne,  with  much  warmth  and  impetuosity  of  character, 
was  of  quick  and  sound  apprehension,  and  at  once  saw  the  advantages  or 
disadvantages  of  an  extreme  position.  To  advance  or  retire,  as  has  already 
been  remarked,  was  impossible,  for  both  in  front  and  rear  stood  the  warriors 
leaning  carelessly  on  fiieir  guns,  as  if  they  expected  at  each  moment  that  he 
would  come  up  and  surrender  himself.  But,  whatever  his  previous  musings, 
lialf  nursed  into  the  determination,  such  was^now  far  from  being  the  inten- 
tion of  the  Vii'ginian.  Certain  that  he  woul'd  be  fired  at,  his  main  object 
was  to  prevent  their  closing  with  him  so  far  as  to  impede  his  action.  In 
order  to  prevent  nearer  advance  upon  him,  therefore,  ho  pulled  his  pocket 
handkerchief  from  the  bosom  of  his  hunting-shirt,  and  Avaved  it  over  his 
head  in  token  of  submission.     Guttural  sounds  of  approbation  broke  from 


26  WAU-NAN-GEE  ;    OR, 

the  warriors,  amid  which  he  thour>;ht  he  could  hear  the  voice  of  his  wife 
eaniestly  calHng  \ipon  his  name,  in  the  distance.  He  looked,  but  saw 
nothing.  Tiie  idea  that  she  had  boon  sutVered  to  make  her  escape  grew 
stronger.  He  felt  assured,  for  the  sounds  of  horses'  hoots  had  ceased,  that 
she  was  lingering  for  him  to  join  her  ;  that^she  had  soon  him  wave  the 
handkerchief,  and  that,  tearing  he  was  about  to  deliver  himself  into  the  hands 
of  his  enemies,  she  had  uttered  that  cry  to  indicate  her  position.  Apparently 
in  the  certainty  of  their  prisoner,  the  Indians  both  above  and  below  had  thrown 
themselves  at  the  side  of  the  lane  imder  the  fence,  some  even  commencing  to  fill 
and  smoke  their  pipe  tomahawks.  This  again  was  the  moment  of  action. 
To  leap  the  fence  at  this  time  was  out  of  all  question,  but  the  river  was 
unusually  deep  immediately  on  his  right.  Rapidly  he  wheeled  his  horse, 
and,  bearing  him  up  with  a  strong  arm,  as  he  reached  the  bank,  while  he 
forced  the  rowels  of  his  spurs  into  his  flanks,  caused  him  to  bound  over 
nearly  one  third  of  the  narrow  stream.  Almost  before  the  Indians  had 
time  to  recover  from  their  surprise  and  dash  in  after  him,  he  was  nearly 
across.  As  he  ascended  the  opposite  bank,  and  gained  the  road  above, 
another  cry  from  the  same  voice  rang  upon  his  ears.  He  looked  and  beheld 
at  one  of  the  windows  of  the  farm-house  a  form  evidently  that  of  a  woman, 
the  outline  and  dress  of  which  he  could  not,  however,  distinguish,  reclining 
negligently,  almost  motionless,  on  the  bosom  of  the  youngest  warrior,  who 
had  evinced  such  earnestness  in  his  desire  to  capture  him.  Alternately,  as 
Ronayne  continued  his  course  to  the  fort,  along  that  bank  of  the  Chicago, 
the  youth  pealed  forth  the  peculiar  war-whoop  of  his  tribe,  and  waved,  seem- 
ingly, the  very  pocket  handkerchief  which  the  unhappy  officer  had  a  few 
moments  before  thrown  down  as  an  earnest  of  his  submission.  Was  this 
meant  as  a  reproach  or  a  threat  ?  He  could  not  tell ;  but  certainly  he  felt 
that  he  deserved  the  former  in  their  eyes,  who  had  shown  him  so  much 
mercy.  In  less  than  ten  minutes  he  had  passed  over  the  intermediate 
ground,  his  ear  achingly  on  the  stretch  to  catch  the  sounds  of  horses'  hoofs 
on  the  opposite'  bank — that  bank  which,  not  two  hours  previously,  he  had 
traversed  with  a  bright  hope,  if  not  with  a  heart  wholly  free  from  anxiety — 
but  in  vain.  Furiously,  wildly,  he  rode  into  the  fort.  He  was  haggard,  pale, 
and  dripping  from  the  immersion  he  had  so  recently  undergone.  His  first 
inquiry  at  the  gate,  on  entering,  was  if  Mi's.  Ronayne  had  returned.  Being 
answered  in  the  negative,  life  itself  seemed  to  be  annihilated  ;  and,  over- 
come by  the  overwhelming  agony  he  had  endured  for  the  last  two  hours, 
he  gave  a  frightful  shriek  of  despair,  and,  on  gaining  the  centre  of  the 
parade,  fell  fainting  from  his  horse  to  the  ground,  as  we  have  already  seen 
at  the  close  of  our  opening  chapter. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

"  My  particular  grief  is  of  so  floodgate  and  overbearing  nature,  that  it  engluts  and 
swallows  other  sorrows." — Othello. 

Never  did  day  close  more  cheerlessly  on  the  hearts  of  men,  than  that 
%vhich  succeeded  to  the  occurrences  detailed  in  our  last  chapter.  Yea,  it  was 
a  terrible  blow  which  had  been  inflicted  upon  all.     The  sun  of  the  existence 


THE    MASSACRE    AT    CHICAGO. 


27 


of  each,  from  the  commanding  officer  to  the  youngest  drummer- boy,  had 
been  dimmed  ;  and  many  a  weather-beaten  soldier,  grown  grey  in  the  natural 
apathy  of  age,  now  found  himself  unable  to  restrain  the  rising  tean-.  Not  a 
woman,  not  a  child  arrived  at  the  years  of  consciousness,  but  missed  and 
mourned  over  the  absence  of  her  who  had  been,  not  merely  the  favorite,  but 
the  beloved  of  the  whole  garrison. 

The  young  Virginian  himself  was,  for  the  moment,  the  only  exception  to 
this  mental  anguish.  When  taken  up  from  the  ground  to  which  he  had 
fallen,  and  borne  to  his  room,  he  was  in  a  high  fever  and  delirious  from 
excitement — unconscious  of  everything  around.  He  did  not  manifest  a 
sense  of  the  nature  and  extent  of  his  grief  by  exclamations  of  despair,  or 
reference  to  the  past,  but  lay  like  one  stupified,  his  cheek  highly  flushed,  his 
eyes  fixed  and  upturned,  his  hands  clasped  across  his  chest,  his  breathing 
scarcely  audible,  and  seemingly  without  the  power  of  combination  of  thought, 
or  the  exercise  of  memory. 

When  Von  Voltenberg  soon  afterwards  followed,  he  at  once  saw  that 
congestion  of  the  brain  was  rapidly  forming,  and  immediately  prepared  to 
bleed  him.  The  room,  which,  first  filled  with  sorrowing  soldiers  and  their 
wives,  not  only  excluded  the  necessary  air,  but  impeded  action,  was  now 
urgently  requested  to  be  cleared,  and  none  remained  but  Mrs.  Headley,  Mrs. 
Elmsley,  Mr.  Konayne's  servant  Catherine,  and  Corporal  Collins,  who,  having 
been  reheved  from  his  duty  as  orderly,  had  entreated  the  surgeon  to  permit 
him  to  render  what  service  might  be  required  during  the  young  officer's 
illness.  There  was  no  fastidious  or  misplaced  delicacy  here.  Mrs.  Headley 
had  ever  felt  as  a  mother  towards  the  Virginian,  Mrs.  Elmsley  as  a  sister, 
and,  even  had  this  not  been  the  case,  the  strong  affection  they  bore  to  his 
wife  would  have  led  them  to  attend  the  sick  couch  of  the  husband.  One 
supported  his  shoulder  as  he  was  raised  in  his  bed,  the  other  took  his 
extended  hand,  while  Corporal  Collins,  looking  much  paler  and  more  fright- 
ened than  either  of  them,  held  the  basin.  If  Von  Voltenberg  was  not  particu- 
larly given  to  fasting,  or  loved  the  punch  made  of  the  horrid  whiskey  distilled 
in  those  days  in  the  west,  he  was,  nevertheless,  a  skilful  surgeon.  With  a 
steady  hand  he  now  divided  the  vein,  when  forth  gushed  a  st»eam  of  blood 
so  dark  and  discolored  that  the  significant  and  triumphant  shake  of  the  head 
which  he  gave  clearly  indicated  what  would  have  been  the  result  had  the 
bleeding  been  delayed  much  longer. 

Greatly  relieved  by  the  reraoVal  of  the  oppressive  weight,  the  unhappy 
ensign  opened  his  eyes,  and  became  sensible  of  objects,  but  it  was  only  that 
consciousness  might  render  him  even  more  keenly  alive  to  the  horror  of  his 
position.  Each  article  of  furniture  and  dress  around  the  room  brought 
increased  desolation  to  his  heart.  There  was  the  harp  Maria  was  wont  to 
touch  with  such  exquisite  grace.  There  was  the  dress  she  had  thrown  off 
to  assume  her  riding  habit — for  it  will  be  recollected  that  the  officers  of  tliat 
post  had  no  gilded  suites  of  apartments  at  their  command,  but  barely  a 
couple  of  barrack  rooms  for  the  married  men,  and  one  for  the  single.  Now 
a  shoe  caught  his  eye,  now  a  glove,  a  hat,  a  slipper,  her  dressing-case ;  even 
the  tiny  thimble  with  which  she  had  worked  the  hnen  upon  his  back  ;  each 
and  all  of  these,  endearing  yet  painful  to  the  sight  from  the  recollections 
they  brought  up,  he  glanced  at  alternately,  until  his  feehngs  werfi  so 
wrought  upon  that  he  was  almost  frantic. 


2S  WAU-NAN-CEE  ;     OR, 

"  Take  those  things  away  !"  he  cried,  starting  up  and  pointing  to  them  ; 
"I  cannot  endure  the  sight.  They  will  kill  me — ay,  worse  than  kill— tear 
my  heart-strings  witli  slow  agony.  Ah !  dear  Mrs.  Ileadley — Mrs.  Elmsley 
— both  of  you,  who  loved  Maria  so  well — can  you  not  understand  the  pangs 
I  suffer  !  Yesterday  I  could  have  defied  tlie  world  in  tiie  vain  pride  of  my 
happiness  and  strengtli ;  to-day  I  feel  that  I  am  more  wretched  than  the 
slave  that  tugs  at  his  chain — more  feeble  tlian  a  child.  AVould  to  heaven 
that  I  could  die  within  this  hour !  Oh,  God !  oh,  God  !  oh,  God  !  how  shall 
I  endure  this !" 

lie  turned  on  his  side,  buried  his  face  in  tlie  pillolv,  and  sobbr d  and  wept, 
nntil  every  one  around  had  caught  the  doep  infection  of  his  pi'olbund  suffer- 
ing. The  lips  of  Coi-poral  Collins,  as  he  stood  stiff  in  his  military  attitude, 
were  closely  compressed,  and  his  brow  wtis  contracted.  A  sympathy,  trace-, 
able  on  each  quivering  muscle,  was  evidently  struggling  for  mastery,  aijd  he 
turned  abruptly  round.  Had  others  taken  time  from  their  own  sorrow  to 
T.'atch  his  next  movement,  they  might  have  seen,hitn  raise  his  hand  to  his 
lips,  and  drain  deeply  from  a  flask  he  had  taken  from  the  bosom  of  his  uni- 
i'ovm.  Mrs.  Elmsley,  with  her  face  buried  in  her  hands,  leaned  against  one 
of  the  foot- posts  of  the  bed  ;  and  Mrs.  Ileadley — the  majestic  Mrs.  Ileadley, 
with  more  complex  feelings  at  her  heart  than  actuated  the  others — knelt  at 
the  head  of  the  bed,  laid  her  hand  upon  the  shoulder  of  the  patient,  and 
conjured  him,  in  tones  that  maiked  her  own  deep  sorrow,  to  bear  the  trial 
like  a  man,  and  not  destroy  hiuiself  by  unavailing  grief.  Yet,  even  as  she 
spoke,  the  tears  fell  copiously  upon  the  bed. 

"•  Mrs.  Ileadley,"  said  Von  Voltenberg,  who  afterwards  admitted  that,  in 
tlie  whole  course  of  his  practice,  he  had  n(;ver  been  similarly  touched,  "  do 
not  check  him.  Let  him  give  full  vent  to  this  emotion.,  for  painful  as  it  now 
is,  both  to  himself  and  to  us  who  witness  it,  this  outburst  once  exhausted, 
the  crisis  once  past,  there  wdll  be  less  fear  of  a  return.  See,  already  the 
paroxysm  is  weaker — he  is  more  c;ilm — buth  mind  and  body  are  worn  out, 
and  if  he  can  but  sleep  for  a  few  hours,  although  he  may  perhaps  awakeu 
to  more  acute  sorrow,  no  danger  to  his  life  need  be  apprehended." 

Notwithstanding  this  remark  was  made  in  little  more  than  a  whisper, 
it  was  distinctly  heard  by  the  sufferer.  Suddenly  starting  up  again  in 
his  bed,  he  turned  quickly  round  to  the  surgeon,  and  said,  in  a  tone  of 
reproach — 

"  And  is  this  all  the  consolation  you  have  to  offer  me  ?  What !  tell  mo 
that  I  shall  a-naken  to  keener  pain  than  that  which  now  racks  my  being,  and 
drag  on  a  miserable  life  !  Of  what  value  that  life  to  me  ?  But  stay,  my 
mind  is  not  yet  itself, -or  how  is  it  that  I  have  not  yet  questioned  you  about 
my  wife !  Dear  Von  Voltenberg  !"  and  he  threw  the  hand  of  the  recently- 
punctured  arm  upon  the  shoulder  of  the  surgeon,  "  what  news  have  you  of 
Maria  ?  Tell  me  of  her  safety  ;  say  that  you  have  rescued  her  and  that  I 
shall  see  her  again,  and  I  will  for  ever  bless  the  voice  that  saves  me  from 
despair.  Oh,  Von  Voltenberg  !  speak,  speak !  surely  you  could  never  have 
had  the  baseness  to  desert  her.  How  were  you  taken  ?  hov/  have  you 
escaped  ?  and  why  alone  i" 

"  Poor  Ronayne!  would  to  God  that  I  could  give  you  consolation;  but, 
;ilas  !  I  cannot.  She  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Indians  before  I  did,  and  I 
saw  her  borne  rapidly  to  the  rear  of  the  farm-house ;  me  they  took  to  the 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  29 

road  where  you  saw  me.  From  that  moment  I  never  once  beheld  her  ;  but 
reassure  yourself,  all  may  yet  be  well.  True,  she  is  a  prisoner,  but  I  appre- 
hend no  violence,  for  the  Indians  offered  none  to  my.^elf,  and  I  thought  that  they 
showed  unaccountable  moderation  to  you,  never  firing  a  shot  when  you  liad 
so  com{)letely  bafHed  them  in  the  chase.  It  was  that  wliich  '^avG  nie  confi- 
dence to  attempt  my  own  escape,  Avhen  I  saw  them  all  pressing  forward  to 
secure  you,  leaving  me  altogether  unguarded.  But  wo  will  speak  of  this  no 
more  to-night.  You  must  sleep,  Ronayne,  if  you  would  have  strength  to 
enter  upon  action  to-morrow.  From  the  appearance  of  their  encampment, 
not  twenty  paces  in  rear  of  the  spot  where  you  beheld  me,  I  have  reason  to 
think  that  it  has  been  established  there  many  days,  and  that  Mrs.  Eonayno 
may  yet  bo  rescued,  for  the  party  of  Indians  does  not  exceed  five-and- 
twenty  men.  What  they  want  is,  doubtless,  ransom,  a  few  blankets  or 
guns."  If 

"  Oh  !  say  you  so ;  bless  you  for  that !"  continued  the  Virgmian,  eagerly  ; 
"yes,  I  will  be  calm — seek  rest  to  restore  me  for  the  morning;  I  will  see 
Captain  Ileadley,  and  entreat  him  to  let  mo  take  out  a  detachment.  Oh  !  ho 
will  not  refuse  me.  Do  you  think  he  will,  Mrs.  Headley  ?  Surely  you  will 
plead  for  me.  I  know  twenty  bi'ave  fellows  who  will  cheerfully  volunteer 
fur  the  duty." 

"  Alas  !"  said  Mrs.  Ileadley,  with  a  deep  despondency  at  her  heart,  "  I 
fear  I  can  give  you  no  encouragement  there,  lionayne ;  I  am  quite  satis- 
fied, indeed,  that  Headley  will  not  suffer  a  man  to  leave  the  fort  at  this 
crisis.'' 

"  Crisis  !  what  crisis  1"  interrupted  the  youth  vehemently.  "  Obdurate 
man,  has  the  past  not  cured  him  of  his  martinotisra  ?  By  heaven,  let  him 
refuse  me,  and  I,  alone  and  without  permission,  will  go  in  search  of  my  wife. 
Fool,  fool  that  I  was  to  return  now  Avithout  her  ;  but  I  had  hoped  she  was 
here  ;"  and  again  lie  burst  into  another  wild  agony  of  grief. 

Corporal  Collins  touched  his  cap  and  advanced  a  pace  forward. 

"The  Captain  said  this  afternoon  that  the  next  time  your  honor  left  tiie 
fort  you  should  never  return  to  it.  I  thought  it  was  my  duty,  your  honor, 
to  tell  you,  for  I  couldn't  make  out  vdiat  he  meant." 

"  Oh  !  he  did,  did  he  V  muttered  Ronayne,  with  sudden  calm.  "  Wi^I!, 
be  it  so!" 

"  Corporal  Collins,"  said  Mrs.  Headley  sternly  to  him,  as  she  arose  front 
her  kneeling  posture,  "  you  would  have  done  better  to  have  held  your  peace 
on  a  matter  which  you  say  you  do  not  comprehend.  Mr.  Ronayne  has 
annoyance  sufficient  without  your  misinterpreting  to  him  an  observation  of 
his  commanding  officer,  which,  in  all  probability,  was  made  in  any  other 
spirit  than  that  whi'ch  your  words  would  convey." 

The  corporal  made  a  respectful  obeisance  and  withdrew  into  the  corridoi", 
rebuked. 

"  Ronayne,"  pursued  Mrs.  Headley,  "  I  can  rnake  all  allowance  for  your 
excited  feelings.  I  Avill  speak  to  Ileadley  on  the  matter ;  and,  althougli 
1  cannot  hold  out  to  you  any  hope  that  ho  either  will  even  acknowledge  the 
necessitj-,  much  less  take  the  action  you  desire,  I  feel  peifectly  assured  that, 
when  you  have  heard  his  reasons,  you  will  agree  with  us  both  that  it  would 
neither 'be  of  avail  nor  politic  to  take  a  step  of  this  kind  fur  the  recovery  of 
her  whom  we  all  deplore — O'od  knows,  no  one  more  bitterly  than  myself." 


30  WAU-XAN-GEE  ;    OR, 

"  Mrs.  Iloadlc)-,  you  surpriso  me  ;  T  can  scarcely  believe  that  I  understand 
you  rightly.  I  had  always  thought  your  feelings  towards  Maria  were  those 
of  a  mother  for  her  oliild  ?" 

"  Even  so,  Ronayne.  You  judgi-d  them  riglitly.  As  a  motlier  I  have  loved, 
and  love  her  still ;  but  we  will  talk  of  all  this  to-morrow  morning,  and  1 
leave  you  now  to  the  quiet,  if  rest  is  not  to  be  hoped  for,  that  you  so  much 
require ;  for  Ileadley  needs  all  his  officers  in  important  council  to-morrow, 
prior  to  holding  a  second  immediately  after  Avith  our  Indian  allies.  Nay,'' 
seeing  that  all  present  looked  surprised,  and  a  desire  to  know  wherefoi-e,  "it 
■were  idle  to  enter  upon  the  subject  now  ;  sufficient  be  it  to  know  that  it  is 
one  of  the  deepest  importance,  and  that,  even  should  you  be  carried  there 
in  a  litter,  Ronayne— but  God  forbid  the  necessity! — you  must  be  pre- 
sent." 

"  At  what^our  does  that  council  assemble,  Mrs.  Ileadley  ?"  asked  the 
ensign. 

"At  midday,  I  believe.  Winnebeg  has  been  desired  to  bring  the  chiefs 
to  the  glacis,  between  the  flagstaff  and  the  southern  block-house,  at  two 
o'clock  precisely. 

"  What !  Winnebeg  returned  ?"  exclaimed  Ronayne,  as  he  impetuously 
rose  in  his  bed.  "  Ah,  then  there  is  hope.  He  will  aid  me  in  my  enter- 
prise. And  Avhat  of  Wau-nan-gce  ?  Is  he,  too,  here,  Mrs.  Headley  ?  Yes, 
he  must  be.  Oh,  this  is  indeed  providential !  I  shall  rise  with  the  dawn, 
and  seek  them  both.  Everything  can  be  accomplished,  if  at  all,  before  the 
hour  of  our  own  council  arrives." 

Mrs.  Headley  cast  a  look  of  profound  sadness  on  him,  as,  taking  his  hot 
hand  in  hers,  she  said — 

"  Wau-nan-gee  did  not  come  with  W^innebeg,  Ronayne  ;  but  there  is  rea- 
son to  believe  that  he  is  not  far  from  the  camp  of  the  Pottowatoraies,  for 
he  was  seen  yesterday.  Yet  he  will  not  aid  you  in  your  proposed  enter- 
prise." 

"  Oh  !  Mrs.  Headley,  you  do  him  wrong — indeed  you  do.  Wau-nan-gee 
loves  Maria  too  well  not  to  risk  his  life  for  her.  You  little  know  the 
strength  of  his  generous  attachment,  if  you  doubt  his  interest  in  her  pre- 
servation." 

"  I  know,  that  his  love  for  her  is  great — perhaps  too  much  so,"  she 
replied,  emphatically,  after  a  moment's  pause,  while  bending  over  to  adjust 
his  pillow,  and  in  a  voice  so  subdued  as  to  be  inaudible  to  all  but  himself. 


CHAPTER  VH. 

Ronayne's  pale  cheek  became  suddenly  scarlet.  He  perceived  from  the 
tone  and  look  that  accompanied  the  words  that  suspicion  of  some  kind, 
whence  derived  he  knew  not,  had  entered  into  the  mind  of  Mrs.  Ileadley, 
and  that  she  saw  in  the  regard  of  the  young  Indian  for  his  wife,  evidence  of 
a  prepossession  which  might  prove  dangerous  to  his  peace.  But  this,  to  a 
mind  generous  and  impetuous  as  that  of  the  highly-gifted  officer,  brought  no 
alarm.  Conscious  of  the  entire  possession  of  the  heart  and  confidence  of 
his  wife,  it  was  a  source  of  speculative  pride,  rather  than  of  concern  to  him, 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  81 

that  the  warm-hearted  and  inartificial  Indian,  at  once  brave,  boy-like,  and 
handsome,  should,  with  a  cheek  glowing,  and  an  eye  beaming  with  over- 
weening softness,  feel  and  betray  all  the  power  of  her  beauty  when  exposed 
to  the  influence  of  its  presence.  It  was  a  compliment  to  himself — to  his  own 
taste  and  judgment,  and,  had  this  been  possible,  would  have  increased  his 
love  for  her  on  whom  nature,  hand  in  hand  with  the  graces,  hud  lavished 
such  adornments  of  disposition  and  person  as  to  comjiel  a  homage  which 
rarely  came  to  woman  from  such  a  quarter.  The  love  of  Wau-nan-gce  had 
been  known  to  both,  but  it  had  always  been  regarded  as  the  innocent  and 
enthusiastic  preference  of  the  boy  who  had  scarcely  yet  learned  to  compre- 
hend the  new  and  strange  emotion  struggling  for  development  at  his  heart. 
It  had  often  been  the  topic  of  their  conversation ;  and  many  a  smile,  half 
crimsoning  into  a  blush,  had  Ronayne  called  up  to  the  brow  of  his  young- 
wife,  while  playfully  adverting  to  the  equal  right  to  invest  herwith  the  mar- 
riage ring,  which  he  had  so  eagerly  manifested  on  the  evening  of  their  union. 
And,  if  he  had  shown  a  humor  on  that  occasion  which  displeased  or  hurt 
the  Indian  it  was  not  from  any  unworthy  jealousy  of  the  act  he  had  sought 
to  perform,  but  because  he  was  ashamed  of  his  own  awkwardness,  exhibited 
on  such  an  occasion  and  in  presence  of  his  bride.  Since  that  night  Wau- 
nan-gee  had  disappeared,  and  both  by  the  husband  and  wife  had  his  absence 
been  deeply  regretted,  for  they  both  loved  the  youth,  not  only  for  the  ser- 
vices he  had  rendered,  but  the  interest  his  gentleness  of  deportment  and 
retiring  modesty  had  inspired. 

If,  therefore,  he  changed  color  at  the  remark  of  Mrs.  Headley,  it  was  not 
because  a  guilty  passion  was  hinted  at  as  influencing  the  boy,  or  because, 
even  if  it  did,  that  he  much  heeded  it,  but  because  he  thought  it  was  meant 
to  suggest  that  the  danger  would  come  from  the  tenderness  of  her  who  had 
inspired  it.  For  the  moment  he  felt  mortified  at  the  possibility  of  such  an 
idea  being  entertained,  and,  had  Mrs.  Headley  made  the  remark  she  did, 
except  in  his  own  ear,  Ronayne  would  have  expressed  himself  accordingly. 

'•  He  cannot  love  her  too  well,"  was  his  reply ;  "  oh,  no,  that  is  my  chief 
hope.  Think  you  that  I  should  be  calm  as  I  am,  did  I  not,  now  that  I 
know  he  is  returned,  feel  assured  that  his  strong  yet  pure  attachment  for  her 
will  cause  him  to  head  a  strong  band  for  her  rescue  ?  I  am  better  now — I 
am  determined  to  be  better ;  for  at  the  first  dawn  I  will  go  forth  and  seek 
Wau-nan-gee.  We  shall  not  be  five  hours  away;  and,  long  before  the 
council  assembles,  we  shall  again,  I  am  confident,  be  re-united.  Ah,  what 
a  long  night  until  then  !  would  that  it  were  dawn  !" 

"  That  were  of  no  use,"  returned  Mrs.  Headley,  gravely  and  aloud.  "I 
know  that  the  strictest  orders  were  issued  immediately  after  your  return,  to 
allow  neither  officer  nor  man  to  leave  the  fort,  unless  passed  by  Headley 
himself." 

"  Or  I  shall  never  return,  T  sxippose,"  muttered  the  Virginian  bitterly ; 
"  well,  we  shall  see ;"  and  he  ground  his  teeth  together  fiercely. 

"  Ronayne,"  said  Mrs.  Headley,  "  spare  your  bitterness.  You  will  know 
to-morrow  what  Headley  meant  by  his  remark ;  yet  promise  me  one  thing 
before  I  leave  you,  that  before  you  seek  to  leave  the  fort,  you  will  see  me  in 
the  morning,  in  my  apartments.  If,  then,  I  fail  to  satisfy  you  of  the  rea- 
sons which  exist  against  your  entertaining  any  hopes  of  success  in  the  enter- 
prise you  meditate,  I  think  I  may  venture  to  say  that  I  shall  obtain  of 


32  WAIINAN'-GEE  ;     OR, 

Horullov  not  to  oppose  you.  But,  stay !  on  consideration,  it  will  be  bettor 
that  wliat  I  have  to  urge  should  be  said  at  once.  This  is  no  time  or  occa- 
sion (or  mere  forms  or  ceremonies.  There  is  too  miu'h  at  stake.  I  shall 
leave  you  now,  and  return,  alone,  in  little  more  than  an  hour.  You  will 
dismiss  Colhns  for  the  night,  desirinpr  him  to  close  the  door — not  fasten  it, 
so  that  I  may  make  no  noise — find  no  difficulty  in  entering.  Better  that 
you  give  vent  to  your  feliiigs  here,  in  the  jn-ivacy  of  your  own  room,  than 
reveal  by  your  excitement  to  others  that  which  sliould  be  known  only  to 
ourselves." 

"  Good  heaven  !  what  can  all  this  mean  ?  what  can  it  portend  ?"  ex- 
claimed the  startled  officer. 

'■  Prepare  yourself  for  no  pleasant  communication,  Ronayne,"  continued 
Mrs.  TIeadley,  sadly;  "  I  must  wound,  yet  I  trust  but  to  heal ;  one  point  I 
would  have  y%i  question  Von  Voltenberg  on  before  I  go — the  manner  in 
which  Maria  tell  into  the  hands  of  the  Indians." 

During  this  short  and  low  conversation,  Mrs.  Elmsley  and  Von  Volten- 
berg had  been  talking  aside  on  the  same  subject,  the  former  continuing  to 
weep  quietly  but  bitt'^rly  for  the  loss  of  her  friend.  Ronayne  now  ques- 
tioned the  surgeon  in  regard  to  the  cause  of  the  suddenness  of  their  departure 
fr')m  the  point  Avhere  he  had  dismounted  to  procure  water. 

Von  Voltenberg  replied  that  he  scarcely  knew  himself,  but  his  own 
impression  was  that  Mrs.  Ronayne  had  started  off  her  horse  the  moment  the 
shots  were  fired — he  supposed  in  the  very  exaggerated  spirit  of  wantonness 
which  had  raai-ked  her  actions  ever  since  leaving  the  fort.  He  had  mecha- 
nically followed  in  courtesy,  and  the  result  was  as  has  been  seen — her  sudden 
captivity  by  the  war  party,  who  had  hurried  her  off,  almost  unresistingly,  he 
knew  not  whither,  while  he  himself  was  taken  in  the  direction  in  which 
Ronayne  had  seen  him. 

"  Did  she  scream — did  she  express  alarm  when  taken  ?"  asked  Mrs. 
Ileadley. 

"  No ;  I  cannot  say  that  she  did,"  returned  the  Doctor,  somewhat  sur- 
pi'ised,  and  not  comprehending  the  motive  for  the  question  ;  "  but  you  know 
Mrs.  Ronayne  is  a  vroman  of  great  nerve  and  presence  of  mind.  Moreover, 
as  the  thing  was  done  in  a  moment,  she  must  have  been  too  greatly  asto- 
nished to  understand  her  danger,  for  she  came  abmptly  on  the  Indians  on 
turning  the  sharp  angle  of  the  road  leading  up  to  the  house." 

^Irs.  Ileadley 's  eyes  met  those  of  Ronayne  with  grave  meaning.  He 
.seemed  to  understand  her,  and  when,  with  Mrs.  Elmsley,  she  had  departed, 
he  threw  himself  back  upon  his  pillow,  and,  closing  his  eyes,  mused  deeply. 
To  the  inquiry  of  Von  Voltenberg,  he  replied  that,  feeling  disposed  to  rest 
a  little,  he  would  not  trouble  him  to  sit  up  longer,  but  begged  him  to  retire 
and  to  send  Collins  to  his  barrack-room,  leaving  his  door  on  the  latch,  in 
case  he  should  be  summoned  by  the  commandhig  officer  for  any  purpose 
before  morning. 

As  Mrs.  Ileadley  separated  for  the  night  from  Mrs.  Elmsley,  and  ap- 
proached her  o^vn  door,  a  man  in  uiiiform  came  up,  touched  his  cap  respect- 
fully, and  presented  a  packet. 

"  TJiis  parcel,  Dilrs.  Ileadley,  I  received  from  Mrs.  Ronayne  on  leaving  the 
fort  this  afternoon,  with  the  direction  that  I  should  hand  it  to  you  if  she  did 
not  retiim  bv  midnight.     Alas !  ma'am,  we  have  every  reason  to  fear  the 


^  THE    MASSACRE    AT    CHICAGO.  33 

dear  lady  will  never  return ;  twelve  o'clock  has  just  struck,  and  I  am  come 
to  fulfil  ray  trust." 

"  Thank  you,  Serjeant  Nixon,  As  you  say,  I  fear  there  is  little  hope  of 
Mrs.  Ronayne  returning ;  but  this  package  may  possibly  throw  some  light 
on  the  cause  of  her  absence." 

"  Oh  !  I  hope  so ;  yet  how  should  it,  ma'am  ?  she  could  not  have  known 
what  was  going  to  happen  when  she  went  out." 

"  No — true,  Nixon,  you  are  right,  I  suppose  it  contains  something  that 
she  has  borrow^ed,  or  that  I  have  asked  her  for.  Ah  !  I  recollect  now— it  is 
some  embroidery  she  worked  for  me.  Good  night,  serjeant ;  or  do  you 
wish  to  see  Captain  Headley  f 

"  No,  ma'am,  I  only  came  to  deliver  the  package  which  Mrs.  Ronayne 
seemed  so  anxious  you  should  get  to-night." 

"  There  was  no  such  very  great  hurry  about  it,"  returned  Mrs.  Headley, 
carelessly,  yet  not  without  agitation  ;  "  I  would  to  heaven  she  had  been  here 
to  give  it  to  me  herself !" 

"  Amen  !"  solemnly  returned  the  serjeant ;  ''  I  wotild  willingly  lose  my  left 
arm,  could  I  see  her  sweet  face  in  Fort  Dearborn  again." 

"  Good  night,  Nixon,"  said  Mrs.  Headley,  quickly  and  much  affected  ; 
"  you  are  a  noble  fellow !"  and  she  took  and  warmly  pressed  his  hand. 

"  Oh  !  Mi-s.  Headley,  that  is  the  way  Mrs.  Ronayne  pressed  my  hand 
sdmv  she  had  placed  the  packet  in  it,  and  obtained  my  assurance  that  her 
directions  should  be  punctually  obeyed.  I  shall  ever  feel  that  pressure — see 
the  look  of  kindness  that  accompanied  it,  I  prayed  inwardly  to  God,  as  I 
stood  gazing  on  her  while  she  rode  gracefully  away,  to  shower  all  His 
choicest  blessings  on  her." 

"  Good  Nixon,  no  more ;"  and  Mrs.  Headley  was  in  the  next  minute  at  the 
side  of  her  husband,  who,  with  deep  care  on  his  brow,  sat  at  a  table  buried 
in  papers,  and  v/ith  the  despatch  of  General  Hull  in  his  hand, 

"  Well,  my  dear,  have  you  seen  him — and  how  does  he  bear  his 
affliction  ?" 

"  Oh  !  Headley,  I  pity  him  from  my  mmost  soul — pity  him  for  what  he 
now  suffers ;  and,  oh  !  how  much  more  for  the  greater  agony  he  has  yet  to 
endure  !" 

"  You  have  not  yet,  then,  told  him  ?" 

"  No !  Mrs.  Elmsley  and  Von  Voltenberg  were  there ;  and  even  the 
former  must  not  know  the  secret.  Let  all  mourn  her  as  one  lost  to  us  for 
ever,  but  not  through  her  own  fault.  Let  them  continue  to  believe  that  she 
has  been  violently  torn  from  us,  not  that  she  has  proved  unfaithful  to 
her  husband,  ungrateful  to  her  friends," 

"  Think  you  not,  Ellen,  that  it  would  be  better  to  continue  Ronayne  in 
the  same  behef  ?  As  you  have  not  opened  the  subject  to  him,  it  is  not  too 
late  to  alter  your  first  intention," 

"  Dear  Headley,  Ronayne  must  know  all.  In  no  other  way  can  the  wound 
at  his  heart  be  healed.  I  comprehend  his  noble,  generous  character  well. 
Such  is  his  love  for  Maria,  that  he  will  never  recover  the  shock  of  her  lo&s 
while  he  believes  her  to  have  been  unwillingly  torn  from  him.  He  will  pine 
until  he  sickens  and  dies,  and,  indeed,  unless  the  whole  truth  be  told  to  him, 
he  will  find  some  means  of  leaving  the  fort  in  search  of  her ;  indeed  he  has 
said  he  will — that  nothing  shall  prevent  him ;  and,  alas,  if  he  does,  it  will  be 

3 


84  •WAU-NAN-GEK  ;     OR, 

•with  but  little  disposition  to  return  without  her.  Now,  I  know  that  if  his 
love  ho  oreat,  his  pride  an<f  proper  self-esteem  are  not  less  so,  and  feel 
assured  that  however  acute  his  iii-st  agon}',  lie  will  dry  up  the  fountain  of 
his  i^ricf,  from  the  moment  that  he  learns  that  her  love  for  himself  has  been 
transferred  to  another;  that,  carried  away  by  <i  strange  and  seductive  fasci- 
nation,  she  has  abandoned  him  for  an  uneducated  boy.  His  pride,  even  if 
it  do  not  Tuakt^  liiin  forget  her,  will  so  balance  with  his  now  unrequited  aft'ec- 
tion,  as  to  enable  him  to  bear  himself  up,  until  time  shall  have  robbed  the 
wound  of  all  its  bitterness,  and  nothing  remain  but  the  scar.  You  will, 
moreover,  have  an  efficient  ofticer  preserved  to  you,  and  one  whose  services 
may  be  much  required  in  the  present  crisis — whose  voice  in  the  council  will 
not  be  without  its  weight,  and  whose  arm  and  example  will  help  to  instil 
confidence  in  the  men,  with  all  of  whom  he  is  a  marked  favorite." 

"•  You  are  right,  Ellen,  if  all  that  you  supjiose  be  true ;  better  that  the 
wound  should  be  enlarged  to  insure  its  speedier  cure,  than  that  the  lacera- 
tion, though  less  acute,  should  be  continued.  But  is  it  not  necessaiy  to  be 
well  assured  of  this  ?  Should  you  not  have  stronger  ground  than  what  you 
witnessed  yesterday  to  justify  the  belief  that  this  excursion  was  planned  to 
insure  the  result  that  has  followed  V 

"  Depend  upon  it,  Ileadley,  I  will  not  do  so,  for  you  know  I  am  not  dis- 
posed to  '  aught  extenuate  or  aught  set  down  in  malice,'  but  I  have  already 
prepared  Rouayne,  indirectly,  to  expect  some  singular  relation  in  which 
Maria  is  concerned.  I  wanted  him  to  form  some  idea  of  the  nature  of  the 
revelation  I  had  to  make,  in  order  that  the  shock  n)ight  not  be  so  great, 
when  I  fully  entered  upon  the  subject.  I  had  at  first  intended  that  he 
should  come  to  me  in  the  morning,  but,  on  reflection,  I  thought  it  better 
that  everything  should  be  told  to  him  to-night  where  he  is,  and  therefore 
stated,  on  leaving,  that  I  would  return  within  an  hour.  Was  I  right,  my 
love  ?"  and  she  took  and  pressed  his  hand  to  her  lips. 

"  Always  right,  dear  Ellen — always  considerate  and  prudent.  Yes,  poor 
fellow,  it  were  cruel  to  let  him  slumber  in  hope,  however  faint,  only  to  wake 
to  confirmed  despair  in  the  morning.  Besides  there  may  be,  most  probably 
will  be,  a  wild  outbreak  of  his  passionate  grief,  and  that,  manifested  here 
where  the  servants  cannot  fail  to  hear  him,  may  induce  suspicions  of  the 
true  cause  that  miist  never  be  entertained.  No,  whatever  we  know,  how- 
ever we  may  deplore  the  weakness — the  infatuation  of  that  once  noble  girl, 
within  our  own  hearts  must  remain  her  unfortunate  secret.'' 

"  Generously,  nobly  said,  my  husband.  Were  I  not  certain  that  it  would 
destroy,  wither  up  the  very  soul  of  Ronayne  to  keep  him  in  uncertainty  and 
ignorance,  I  would  not  rend  the  veil  from  before  his  eyes ;  but  it  must  be 
so,  even  for  his  own  future  peace.  Besides  me,  therefore,  for  he  will  not 
know  that  I  have  entrusted  you  with  the  fact,  none  in  the  garrison  will  be 
aware  of  the  truth,  and  Ronayne  will  at  least  not  have  to  feel  the  mortifica- 
tion— the  bitterness  arising  from  the  conviction  that  his  wife  is  mourned  by 
his  comrades,  with  aught  of  diminution  of  that  respect  they  had  ever  borne 
to  her.'' 

"  How  annoying  is  this  occurrence  at  this  particular  moment,"  observed 
Captain  Headley,  musingly  pressing  his  hand  to  his  brow,  "  and  how  unfor- 
tunate. Had  Winnebeg  brought  General  Hull's  despatch  one  day  sooner, 
all  this  would  not  have  happened,  for  they  never  could  have-  obtained  per- 


THE    MASSACRE    AT    CHICAGO.  Sbo 

mission  to  leave  the  fort,  rauch  less  to  visit  so  dangerous  a  vicinity  as  Hard- 
scrabble.  Our  march  from  this  would  have  changed  the  whole  cm-rent  of 
events." 

"  Even  so,"  retui-ned  Mrs.  Headley  ;  "  but  here  is  a  packet,  left  with  Ser- 
jeant Nixon,  which  he  has  just  handed  to  rae,  and  which  may  throw  some 
light  on  the  subject.     I  will  first  glance  over  it  myself." 

She  broke  the  seal — hurriedly  read  it — and  then  passed  it  to  her  hus- 
band, whose  utter  dismay,  as  he  exchanged  looks  of  deep  and  painful 
intelligence  with  her,  after  perusing  the  letter,  was  scarcely  inferior  t® 
her  own. 

"  This  is  evidence  indeed !"  he  murmured.  '*  Who  could  have  ex- 
pected it  ?" 


CHAPTER  VHI. 
'  Grief  is  proxid,  and  makes  its  owner  stout" — King  John 

It  was  nearly  one  o'clock  in-  the  morning  when  Mrs.  Headley,  wrapped 
in  her  husband's  loose  military  cloak  and  forage  cap.  once  more  approached 
the  apartment  of  Ronayne,  situated  at  the  inner  extremity  of  the  low  range 
of  buildings  inhabited  by  herself.  This  disguise  had  been  assumed,  not 
because  she  felt  ashamed  of  the  errand  on  which  she  was  bound,  but 
because  she  did  not  wish  to  provoke  curiosity  or  remark,  in  the  event  of 
her  encountering,  while  going  or  returning,  any  of  the  reliefs  or  patrols, 
which  she  knew  orders  had  been  given,  for  the  first  time  that  night,  to 
have  changed  every  half  hour.  In  the  extreme  darkness  of  the  night,  the 
difference  of  her  height  could  scarcely  be  distinguished  from  that  of  her 
husband,  and  it  was  not  likely  that  any  one  would  address  the  supposed 
commanding  officer,  whom  all  would  assume  anxious  in  regard  to  the 
health  of  his  subordinate,  and  on  his  way  to  ascertain  the  extent  of  his 
malady. 

The  lights  were  burning  dimly  in  the  apartment.  There  was  a  window 
on  each  side  of  the  door,  and  the  farthest  of  these  she  fancied  she  saw 
shaded  by  a  human  form  from  without.  She  stopped  suddenly,  and  kept 
her  eyes  riveted  on  the  object,  holding  in  her  breath  that  she  might  not 
betray  her  presence.  Presently  the  shadow  was  removed  from  the 
window,  and  lost  altogether  to  her  sight.  A  movement  of  the  light  now 
made  within  was  reflected  on  the  figure  of  Ronayne,  who,  with  a  candle  in 
his  hand,  seemed  to  be  approaching  the  door.  He  was  still  dressed  as  he 
had  thrown  himself  on  his  bed,  on  entering,  in  the  deerskin  hunting-frock 
he  had  worn  during  the  day,  and  his  temples  were  bound  with  a  blue- 
bordered  scarlet  bandanna  handkerchief — for  he  had  ever  loathed  the  abo- 
.  mination  of  a  nightcap  as  being  symbolical  of  the  gibbet.  As  he  came 
nearer  to  the  window,  the  light  which  he  bore  reflected  distinctly  without 
and  upon  an  Indian  standing  in  the  doorway,  similarly  habited,  even  to  the 
very  turban. 

Mrs.  Headley  felt  that  she  could  not  be  mistaken  in  the  figure,  but  if  any 
doubt  had  existed,  it  would  have  been  dissipated  when  involuntarily  calhng 
out,  and  m  a  tone  meant  to  imitate  the  harsher  roice  of  her  husband, 


36  TCAU-NAN-OEE  ;     OR, 

Ihe  name  of  ^yau-n:ln-geo,  the  face  was  wildly  tui-ned  In  the  broad  light  to 
penctruto  the  darkness  \Yhich  half  enshrouded  her  from  view,  and  the  fea- 
tiu-es  of  the  boy  distinctly  revealed.  Surprised,  but  armed  with  strong 
resolution,  she  made  a  rapid  forward  movement  to  seize  and  detain 
him,  knowing  well  that  Konayne,  at  the  sound  of  voices,  would  como 
forth  at  once  to  her  assistance  ;  but  the  Indian,  without  uttering  a  sound, 
stxile  rapidly  away  towards  the  picketing  in  the  distance,  and  was  seen  no 
more. 

As  Mrs.  lieadley  now  approached  the  door,  it  was  opened  by  Ronayne, 
who  apologised  to  her  fur  not  having  sooner  attended  to  her  knock,  but 
declared  it  to  be  so  low  that  he  had  not  distinctly  heard  it. 

'••  Nay,"  she  replied,  when  she  had  entered  and  taken  a  scat,  "  I  did  not 
knock,  nor  had  I  intended  to  knock ;  I  have  disturbed  another  midnight 
visitor." 

"  Another  visitor  !  To  whom  do  you  allude,  my  dear  Mrs.  Headley  ?  I 
must  have  deceived  myself,  or  surely  I  heard,  soon  after  I  had  risen  from 
my  couch,  the  name  of  Wau-nan-gee." 

"  You  did  not  deceive  yourself,"  she  returned,  gravely  ;  "  I  saw  Wau-nan- 
gee  at  the  threshold  of  your  door  as  plainly  as  1  see  you,  and  habited  in  the 
same  manner.     I  called  to  him,  but  he  fled.'' 

"  Impossible  !"  said  the  anxious  officer ;  "  wherefore  should  he  flee  after 
knocking  for  admission  ?  What  motive  could  he  have  in  coming  ?  and  how 
could  he  obtain  admission  unperceived  ?  I  have  no  doubt  that  fatigue  and 
excitement  and  the  lateness  of  the  hour  have  tended  to  call  up  this  vision. 
Would  that  you  could  make  it  real." 

"  Ronayne,"  repeated  Mrs.  Headley,  gravely,  "  you  well  know  that  I  am 
not  given  much  to  imagine  that  which  is  not.  Even  to  the  very  handker- 
chief you  have  on  your  head,  his  dress  was  identical,  was  Wau-nan-gee's  ; 
and  I  well  recollect  the  occasion  when,  at  the  distribution  of  the  annual  pre- 
sents to  the  Indians,  you  appropriated  that  handkerchief  to  yourself, 
because,  as  you  said,  Wau-nan-gee  had  manifested  so  much  good  taste  in 
choosing  one  hke  it." 

"  But,  my  dear  Mrs.  Headley,"  returned  the  officer  with  gravity,  while, 
after  closing  the  shutters,  he  took  a  seat  at  her  side,  "you  must  pardon  me 
if  the  very  fact  of  the  resemblance  in  dress  only  increases  my  conviction  of 
the  illusion.  In  all  probability,  it  was  my  shadow  that  you  saw  reflected  by 
the  strong  fight  upon  the  glass  upper  half  of  the  door." 

"  As  you  please,  Ronayne  ;  but,  for  my  own  part,  I  have  not  the  slightest 
doubt  on  the  subject.  You  ask  how  he  could  get  here  ?  Even,  as  you 
wiH  remember,  you  once  made  an  evasion  from  the  fort — well  intended,  I 
grant,  but  still  an  evasion  from  the  fort — over  the  picketing  of  tlie  fort. 
But  the  matter  would  not  be  of  so  much  consequence  at  any  other  time. 
At  present,  it  is  connected  with  much  that  I  have  to  reveal ;  but  how  so 
comiected,  I  cannot  even  fancy  myself.  Ronayne,"  she  continued,  taking 
hia  hand  and  pressing  it  in  her  own,  "  disabuse  yourself  of  the  idea  that 
Wau-nan-gee,  whatever  he  may  have  been,  is  now  your  friend." 

"  Wau-nan-gee  not  my  friend  ?"  returned  the  officer,  sadly.  "  Well,  I 
WJis  prepared  in  some  degree  to  hear  the  assertion,  Mrs,  Headley,  our  con- 
'  fejisation  an  hour  since  being  well  calculated  to  make  me  revolve  the  sub- 
ject in  my  mind  during  your  short  absence,  and  I  have  done  so.    When 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO,  37 

you  mentioned  a  moment  ago  thatWau-nan-gee  had  been  at  this  door,  seekmg 
for  admission,  I  felt  confident  that  you  had  done  him  great  wrong  ;  but  now, 
I  confess,  since  you  so  positively  assert  his  presence  and  sudden  evasion,  I 
am  led  to  apprehend,  I  know  not  what.  Speak ;  let  me  hear  it  all,"  he 
concluded,  with  bitterness. 

"  Ronayne,  my  almost  son,"  she  said,  leaning  her  arm  aflfectionately  on 
his  shoulder,  "  it  was  with  the  view  that  suspicion  should  be  excited  in  your 
mind  by  my  language  that  I  stated  what  I  did.  I  did  not  wish  the  trufh 
to  burst  upon  you  with  annihilating  suddenness,  and  therefore  sought  to 
prepare  you  for  the  blow  I  am  destined  to  inflict." 

"  And  that  is — "  he  said,  Avith  stern  and  furrowed  brow,  a  pallid  cheek, 
and  compressed  lip. 

"  Nay,  Ronayne,  I  like  not  that  tone  and  manner." 

"  Proceed,  Mrs.  Headley,  pray  proceed  ;  I  am  ready  to  hear  all.  Whence 
this  sorrow  so  much  keener  than  that  I  now  endure,  and  how  is  it  connected 
with  Wau-nan-gee !" 

"  lias  it  never  occurred  to  you  to  connect  the  one  with  the  othei-  ?"  she 
observed,  in  low  and  uncertain  accents. 

"  Ha!  is  it  that  ?"  he  exclaimed,  vehemently  starting  and  hurriedly  pacing 
the  apartment.  "  It  is  then  even  as  your  words  had  led  me  to  infer. 
Still,  I  would  not  approach  the  subject  myself.  I  waited  for  something 
more  direct  from  your  lips.  You  have  uttered  it,  and  I  am  now  prepared 
to  hear  all.  But,  Mrs.  Headley,  mark  me,  be  well  assured  of  all  you  say  ; 
let  not  mere  appearances  be  the  groundAvork  of  your  suspicions,  or  you 
destroy  tA\'o  generous  hearts  foi-  ever ;  but,"  he  resumed  more  calmly,  yet 
Avith  a  look  of  fierce  determination,  as  he  once  more  seated  himself  at  her 
side,  "  although  the  love  I  bear  Maria  is  deeper  for  than  man  ever  bore  for ' 
woman,  assure  me  that  it  is  not  returned,  that  this  soft-eyed  boy,  Avith 
Indian  guile,  has  stolen  the  love  in  Avhich  I  lived,  and  then  I  tear  her  from 
my  heart  for  CA'er.  Think  me  no  mere  puling  fawnster,  craving  a  love  that 
is  not  freely  given.  As  the  passion  that  I  feel  is  fire,  hot  as  the  Virginian 
sun  that  nurtured  me,  so  will  it  become  ice  the  moment  it  ceases  to  be  fed 
by  that  which  first  enkindled  it.  Yes,"  he  continued,  bitterly,  "  I  could  tear 
my  heart  out  if  in  its  Aveakness  it  could  pine  for  one,  hoAveA'er  once  endeared, 
Avho  had  ceased  to  respond  to  all  its  devotedness  and  worship.  I  might 
think  of  her,  but  only  to  sustain  my  wounded  spirit.  Contempt  and  scorn 
for  her  fickleness,  not  love — base  and  grovelling  love — should  ever  be  asso- 
ciated with  her  image,  Avhen  undesiredly  it  arose  to  my  repelling  memory. 
But  oh,  God !"  he  exclaimed,  bowing  his  head  upon  hand,  and  yielding  to 
his  deep  emotion,  "  is  it  possible  that  this  can  be  !  Can  it  be  that  I  should 
ever  speak  and  think  of  Maria  thus !  Oh,  whence  this  too  great  aflfliction  ! 
Avhy  this  separation  of  soul  fi-om  soul !  this  rending  asunder  of  the  mystic 
bond  that  once  united  us  !  But  stop  !"  and  he  raised  his  head,  the  hot  and 
inflaming  tears  still  gathering  in  his  eyes,  "she  cannot  surely  thus  have 
acted,  and  yet — and  yet — oh !  Mrs.  Headley,  if  you  knew  the  desolation  of 
my  heart,  you  would  pity  me.     It  is  crushed,  crushed  !" 

During  this  painful  ebullition  of  contradictory  feeling,  in  which  pride 
and  love  combated  fiercely  for  the  ascendency,  Mrs.  Headley  had  been 
deeply  affected  ;  but  feeling  the  necessity  for  going  through  the  task  she 
luad  imposed  upon  herself,  she  strove  as  much  as  possible  to  appear  calm 


38  WAU-NAN-GEE  ;    OR, 

and  colloctcil,  even  severe,  llis  hwt  appeal  bioiiglit  teai-s  from  lier  o^^Ti 
eyes. 

"  Indeed,  indeed,  Ronayne,"  she  exclaimed,  pressing  Lis  hand  fervently 
between  her  palms,  "  1  do  j^ity  you,  I  do  sympathize  -vvilh  you,  even  as  a 
mother,  in  the  desolation  of  your  heavily-stricken  heart.  I  had  dreaded 
this  emotion,  and  only  my  strong  regard  for  yourself  gave  me  strength  to 
undertake  the  infliction  of  the  counter  wound,  which  I  knew  alone  could 
preserve  you  from  utter  n^isury  and  despair ;  and  yet,  if  you  would  cherish 
the  illusion,  if  you  would  not  that  the  stern  reality  should  sear  up  each 
avenue  to  hope,  to  each  sweeter  recollection  of  the  past,  I  will,  if  you  desire 
it,  abstain." 

"  Nay,  not  so,  Mrs.  Headley,"  replied  the  unhappy  officer  ;  "  you  are  very 
cruel,  but  I  kuow^  you  mean  it  well ;  proceed — let  me  be  told  all.  The 
stronger  your  recital,  the  more  confirmatory  of  the  utter  destruction  of  ray 
dreams  of  happiness,  and  the  better  for  myself.  I  have  already  said  that 
scorn  and  contempt  alone  can  dwell  in  my  heart,  if  that  which  I  surmise  you 
are  about  to  relate  be  but  found  to  be  true.  I  am  ready  for  the  tortui-e — 
begin  !"  and,  as  if  with  a  dogged  determination  to  hear,  and  suffer  while  he 
heard,  he  leaned  his  elbow  on  the  back  of  his  chair,  and  covered  his  eyes 
with  his  hand. 

The  recital  need  not  be  repeated  here.  All  that  had  occurred  on  the 
preceding  day,  and  that  which  is  already  known  to  the  reader,  Mrs.  Headley 
now  communicated,  adding  that  she  had  been  undecided  in  her  opinion  on 
the  subject,  until  the  answ^^r  to  the  question  put  to  Von  Voltenberg  con- 
vinced her  that  the  whole  thing  had  been  planned,  and  that  she  had  willingly 
thrown  herself  into  the  power  of  Wau-nan-gee.  The  few  guns,  she  con- 
cluded, were  evidently  a  signal  of  which  she  availed  herself  })y  instantly 
galloping  off,  while  Ronayne  was  yet  at  some  distance  from  her,  and 
unhorsed. 

Prepared  as  the  unhappy  officer  had  been  for  intelligence  involving  this 
mysterious  change  of  .afiection  in  his  wife,  he  was  utterly  dismayed  when 
Mrs.  Headley  recounted  what  she  had  witnessed  in  the  summer-house,  to 
which  she  had  voluntarily  gone,  and  fi'om  which  she  probably  never  would 
have  returned  had  not  accident  disclosed  the  secret  of  the  trap-door. 

"  This  is,  indeed,  a  terrible  blow  !"  he  said,  solemnly,  removing  his  hand 
and  exhibiting  a  pale  cheek  and  lip,  and  a  stern  and  knitted  brow ;  "  but 
now  I  know  the  w  orst,  I  better  can  bear  the  infliction.  Strange,  I  almost 
hate  myself  for  it ;  but  I  feel  my  heart  relieved.  I  know  I  am  no  longer 
cared  for  there,  and  wherefore  seek  to  force  an  erring  woman  to  my  will  ? 
And  yet,  when  I  think  of  it,  of  the  monstrous  love  that  weds  I'ich  intellect 
and  gorgeous  beauty  to  the  mere  blushing  bud  of  scarce  conscious  boyhood, 
I  feel  as  one  utterly  bewildered.  Still,  again,  since  that  love  be  hers,  since 
she  may  not  control  the  passion  that  urges  her  to  her  fate,  so  unselfish  am  I 
in  my  feeling,  even  amid  all  the  weight  of  my  disappointment,  that  rather 
would  I  have  her  free  and  happy  in  the  love  she  has  exchanged,  than  know 
her  pining  in  endless  captivity,  separated  from  and  consumed  Avith  vain 
desire  for  a  reunion  with  myself — her  love  for  me  unquenched  and  unquench- 
able." 

"  Ah  !  what  a  husband  has  she  not  lost !  Generous,  noble  Ronayne,  that 
is  what  I  had  expected.      You  bear  this  bravely ;   I  knew  you  would, 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  30 

or  never  should  I  have  dared  to  enter  upon  the  matter.  But  your  generosity 
must  2;o  further ;  it  must  never  be  knovrn  that  Maria  has  gone  off  wilhngly 
— no  doubt  must  be  entertained  of  her  continued  love  for  jou.  Slie  must 
still  be  respected,  even  as  she  is  jiitied  and  deplored ;  the  belief  that  she  has 
been  made  captive  and  carried  otf  must  not  be  shaken." 

"  The  struggle  at  her  heart  must  indeed  have  been  great  before  she  fell," 
remarked  Ronayne,  musingly,  and  Avith  an  air  of  profound  sadness  ;  "  for 
although  her  appearance  in  the  rude  vault  beneath  the  floor  of  tlie  summer- 
house  would  appear  to  indicate  compulsion,  her  after  conduct  justifies  not 
the  belief.  The  imploring  earnestness  with  which  she  entreated  you,  Mrs. 
Headley,  not  to  make  known  what  you  had  seen  to  me ;  her  abstaining  from 
all  censure  of  Wau-nan-gee  at  the  moment,  and  her  subsequent  interest  in 
him,  too  forcible  to  be  concealed  ;  her  strange  and  unaccountable  manner  dur- 
ing our  ride,  as  if  to  banish  some  gnawing  reproach  at  her  heart ;  her  gal- 
loping off  wlien  freed  for  the  moment  from  my  presence,  and  at  the  evident 
signal  given  to  announce  that  everything  was  prepared  for  her  reception  ;  the 
appearance  of  her  trunks  in  the  farm-house,  evidently,  I  am  now  convinced, 
taken  there  within  a  day  or  two ;  the  pretended  desire  of  the  Indians, 
friends  of  Wau-nan-gee,  to  make  me  a  prisoner,  and  thus  induce  in  me  the 
belief  that  such  was  her  fate.  Oh !  yes,"  he  continued,  rising  and  pacing 
the  room  rapidly,  "  I  can  see  through  the  whole  plot.  His  party  were  Potto- 
watoraies,  painted  as  warriors  of  a  distant  tribe,  that  suspicion  might  be 
averted  from  themselves.  Their  object  was  not  to  make  either  Von  Volten 
berg  or  myself  prisoners,  but  merely  to  give  such  evidence  of  hostility  as  to 
cause  us  to  believe  they  were  enemies.  Oh,  what  sin,  what  artifice  for  a 
woman  once  so  ingenious,  a  boy  so  young  !  But  now  I  am  assured  of  all 
this,  I  am  better — I  am  better.  Some  sudden  inspiration  has  flashed  the 
truth  upon  me,  that  I  might  find  that  relief  which  a  knowledge  of  hor 
ixnfaithfulness  alone  can  render  me." 

"  It  must  have  been  even  so,"  rejoined  Mrs.  Headley ;  "  for,  certainly,  the 
fact  of  yourself  and  Von  Voltenberg  being  allowed  to  escape  by  hostile 
Indians,  who  could  so  easily  have  shot  you  down,  or  taken  you  prisoners, 
had  they  been  really  so  inclined,  appears  to  me  to  be  incredible." 

"  And  yet,  if  it  was  planned,"  pursued  Ronayne  thoughtfully,  "  what 
opportunity  of  communication  had  they  to  arrange  their  measures  ?  Wau- 
nan-gee  has,  we  know,  long  been  absent  for  weeks,  or  certainly  not  once 
within  the  fort." 

"  Ronayne,"  said  Mrs.  Headley,  sigiiificantly,  "  I  speak  to  you  of  these 
things  freely  as  to  one  so  much  younger  than  myself.  Have  I  not  just  said 
that  I  saw  Wau-nan-gee  most  distinctly  at  your  door  as  I  entered — nobody 
but  ourselves  know  that  he  has  got  in,  much  less  in  what  manner." 

"  I  understand  you,  my  dear  Mrs.  Headley ;  you  would  infer  that  ho 
has  stolen  in  at  some  obscure  part  of  the  fort,  and  under  cover  of  the  dark- 
ness ;  but  even  if  so,  am  I  not  always  at  home  ?" 

"  Never  on  guard,  Ronayne;  or  am  I  mistaken,"  she  added  with  a  faint 
smile,  '•  in  supposing  that  the  officer  on  duty  passes  the  night  with  his 
raenr 

''  By  heaven  it  is  so,"  returned  the  Virginian  vehemently,  and  striking 
his  brow  with  his  open  palm,  "this  intimacy  is  of  long  standing.  Though 
pretending  absence,  Wan-nan-gee  has  been  ever  present.     My  guard  niglits 


40  WAU-NAN-GEK  ;     OR, 

have  been  selected  for  those  interviews.  Tlie  poison  of  his  young  love  has 
been  infused  into  the  willing  woman's  ear  and  heart,  and  now  that  I  recollect 
it,  often  on  my  return  home  have  I  seen  her,  pale,  dejected,  and  full  of 
thought — he  has  entreated  her  to  fly  with  him — to  sufler  him  to  be  the  sole, 
the  undivided  sharer  of  her  love — she  has  hesitated,  struggled,  and  finally 
consented.  By  the  same  means  by  Avhiclrhis  entrance  has  'been  effected, 
the  trunks  of  Ilardscrabble  have  been  removed,  and  all  was  prepared  for 
hei- evasion  yesterday,  had  she  not  been  baffled  in  her  object  by  your  sudden 
appearance.     Oh,  I  see  it  all !" 


CHAPTER  IX. 

"  RoN-AYNE,  Rona3-ne !"  resumed  Mrs.  Ileadley,  after  the  strong  excite- 
ment of  her  feeling  had  been  in  some  measure  calmed,  "  how  rapidly  you 
arrive  at  couclusions.  Much  of  what  you  say  is  piobable — for  your  sake,  I 
Tfould  it  were  all  so,  but  let  us  be  guided  in  our  judgment  by  circumstances 
and  fiacts  alone.  If  it  had  at  first  been  arranged  that  the  plan  adopted  with 
such  success  to-day,  why  the  visit  to,  and  detention  in,  the  vault  of  the 
summer-house  where  every  preparation  had  been  made  for  a  long  con- 
cealment ?" 

"That,"  rephed  Ronayne,  "is  a  mystery  which  time  alone  can  unravel. 
I  confess  that  it  involves  a  contradiction  susceptible  of  explanation  only  by 
themselves.  This,  in  all  human  probability  we  shall  never  know  ;  but  then, 
again,  forgive  me,  Mrs.  Headley,  for  thus  detaining  you  with  any  selfish 
interests,  but  your  voice,  your  counsel,  your  very  knowledge  of  the  fticts — all 
breathe  peace  to  my  wounded  spirit ;  but,  I  ask  again,  why  the  scream  she 
gave — why  the  emotion,  the  grief,  slie  evinced  when,  on  opening  the  trap- 
door, you  saw  her  reclining  exhausted  on  that  rude  couch  ?  I  w^ould  reason 
the  matter  so  as  to  convince  myself  thoroughly  that  her  flight  has  been  her  own 
wilful  act,  for  then  I  shall  the  less  regret,  even  though  I  should  not  be  able 
to  banish  her  image  wholly  from  my  mind.  You  have  said  that  you  saw 
Wau-nan-gee  leave  the  summer-house  with  an  excitement  in  his  eye  and 
manner  you  had  never  witnessed  before,  and  that  this  corresponded  with  the 
state  in  which  you  found  Maria  a  few  moments  later.  Now,  is  it  probable 
tliat  if  she  had  purposed  anything  wrong  she  w^ould  have  asked  you  to 
accompany  her,  or  that  she  should  have  asked  you  to  Avaifc  for  her,  while 
visiting  a  spot  w^hence  she  knew  she  never  would  return  ?  Oh,  no !  this 
could  never  be.  Her  mode  of  evasion,  if  such  had  been  intended,  wovdd 
have  been  very  different ;  she  would  have  chosen  a  moment  when  you  were 
in  some  distant  part  of  the  garden,  and  saw  her  not,  to  steal  into  the  sum- 
mer-house. All  clue,  then,  would  have  been  lost,  and  the  appearance  of 
the  Indians  lurkino;  about  the  cottage  would  naturally  have  impressed  you 
with  the  belief  that  she  had  been  carried  off  by  them.  IIow  were  they 
dressed?'' 

"  Even  as  you  have  described  the  party  that  pursued,  or  affected  to  pursue 
you  yesterday,"  exclaimed  ilrs.  Ileadley,  "  in  the  war  paint  of  the  Winne- 
bagoes.     I  know  it  well,  for  their  chiefs  have  often  been  in  council  here." 

"  Just  so,"  pui-sucd  Ronayne.     "  Is  it  not  then  reasonable  to  suppose— 


THE    MASSACRE    AT    CHICAGO.  41 

mark,*  I  do  not  weakly  seek  to  justify  the  wrong  which  but  too  certainly 
exists,  but  I  would  dissect  each  circumstance  until  the  truth  be  known — is  it 
not,  I  repeat,  reasonable  to  suppose  that,  even  if  Maria  wanted  an  evidence 
of  her  abduction,  she  would  have  gone  towards  the  cottage  v.ither  than  the 
summer-house.  It  would  have  been  easy  enough  then  for  tin;  Indians  who, 
I  have  no  doubt,  were  the  same  party  I  encountered  at  Ilardscrabble,  to 
have  carried  her  off  before  any  assistance  could  arrive  from  the  fort.  On 
the  contrary,  she  was  certain  of  discovery  in  the  summer-house  into  which 
she  had  been  seea  to  enter,  and  every  part  of  which  she  would  have  known 
would  have  been  most  strictly  searched.  Wherefore,  too,  the  object  in 
keeping  her  confined,  as  it  were,  in  a  dungeon,  when  the  free  air  was  open 
to  her,  and  the  boundless  wilderness  offered  health  and  freedom  ?" 

"  I  have  thought  of  all  that,  Ronayne,"  replied  Mrs.  Headley,  "  and  I 
cannot  but  suppose  that  this  retreat  was  a  temporary  one.  In  all  probabi- 
lity, when  Wau-nan-gee  issued  from  the  summer-house,  he  was  in  the  act 
of  proceeding  to  make  his  preparations  for  finishing  the  work  just  begun, 
but  seeing  that  I  had  not  yet  left  the  grounds,  waited  to  know  what  my 
movements  would  be  before  he  took  any  farther  step.  My  stationing  the 
boat's  crew  before  the  gate,  where  they  could  command  the  whole  of  the 
view  between  the  cottage  and  the  summer-house,  acted  as  a  qheck  upon 
them,  and  little  dreaming,  I  presume,  that  I  had  discovered  the  trap-door, 
they  had  intended,  on  my  departure  across  the  river,  to  avail  themselves  of 
my  absence,  and  bear  her  off  into  the  forest.  As  for  the  deep  grief  which  I 
witnessed  on  entering  the  summer-house,  that  may  easily  be  accounted  for, 
A  woman  of  refinement,  education,  and  generous  susceptibility,  however 
unhappily  carried  away  she  may  be  by  a  resistless,  and,  in  her  view,  fated 
passion,  does  not  without  a  pang  tear  herself  from  old  associations  to  enter 
upon  new,  especially  whei'e  they  are  of  an  inferior  character.  She  may 
mourn  her  weakness  even  at  the  moment  she  most  yields  to  it.  One  domi- 
nant thought  may  fill  her  soul — one  master  sentiment  influence  all  her 
actions,  and  govern  the  pulsations  of  her  heart,  but  that  does  not  exclude 
the  workings  of  other  and  nobler  emotions  of  the  mind.  Even  when  she 
feels  herself  most  tyrannized  over  by  the  passion,  the  infatuation,  the  destiny 
against  which  she  finds  it  vain  to  struggle,  sorrow  for  her  altered  position 
will  intrude  itself,  and  then  is  her  heart  strengthened  and  her  mind  consoled 
only  by  the  reflection  that  the  sacrifice  was  indispensable  to  the  attainment 
of  that,  without  which,  in  the  strong  excitement  of  her  imagination,  she 
deems  life  valueless.  Charity  sJiould  induce  us  to  believe  that  it  is,  what  I 
have  already  termed  it,  a  disease,  for  on  no  other  principle  can  we  account 
for  that  aberration  of  the  passions,  the  intellect  and  the  judgment  which  can 
lead  such  a  woman  to  forget  that  mind  chiefly  gives  value  to  love,  and  to 
sacrifice  all  that  is  esteemed  most  honorable  in  the  sex  by  man,  to  the  fasci- 
nation of  mere  animal  beauty.  Ah  !  Ronayne,  this  must  have  been  the  case 
in  the  present  instance.     You  see,  I  probe  you  deeply — but  enough !" 

"  Dear  Mrs.  Ileadley,"  returned  the  Virginian,  pressing  her  hands  warmly 
in  his  own,  "  I  am  satisfied  that,  humiliating  as  it  is  to  admit  the  correctness 
of  your  impression,  there  is  but  too  much  reason  to  think  that  it  is  even  as 
you  say.  When  I  recur  to  the  past  of  yesterday  and  to-day,  I  cannot  doubt 
it ;  and  yet  I  confess  there  is  much  buried  in  obscurity  which  I  would  fain 
have  explained.     Were  it  made  clear,  manifest  as  the  handwriting  on  the 


42  wau-nan-geb;  ;    or, 

wall,  tliat  !Maria  had  abandoned  me  for  Wau-nan-gce,  I  should  be  at  ease. 
It  is  the  uncertainty  only  that  now  racks  my  mind.  Could  I  know,  not 
merely  believe  her  false,  a  weight  would  be  taken  from  my  heart.  Oh ! 
Mrs.  lleadley,  why  did  you  not  suffer  Wau-nan-gce  to  enter — why  drive 
from  me  the  only  means  of  explanation  at  which  I  can  ever  arrive  —and, 
yet,  what  could  have  been  liis  object  in  thus  venturing  here  after  having 
despoiled  my  home  of  its  treasure  ?  If  guilty,  would  he  have  dared  to 
approach  me  ?  and  that  he  might  not  do  so  with  evil  intent,  is  evident  from 
the  fact  of  his  having  knocked  for  admission.  Oh !  Mrs.  Headh^y,  I  know 
not  what  to  think — my  mind  is  chaos — I  am  a  very  changeling  in  mj*-  mood  : 
not  from  want  of  energy  to  act  when  once  assured,  but  from  the  very  doubts 
that  agitate  my  mind,  made  wavering  by  the  absence  of  all  certain  proof." 

While  the  soul  of  the  unfortunate  young  officer  was  thus  a  prey  to  every 
shade  of  doubt,  and  manifesting  the  very  weakness  that  his  lips  denied, 
Mrs.  Headley  regarded  him  Avith  deep  concern.  She  could  well  divine  all 
that  was  passing  in  his  heart,  and  the  chord  of  her  sympathy  was  keenly 
touched.  For  some  moments  she  did  not  speak,  but  appeared  to  be  lost  in 
her  own  painfvd  reflections.  At  length,  when  Ronayne,  who  during  these 
remarks  had  been  rapidly  pacing  the  room,  threw  himself  into  a  chair,  bury- 
ing his  face  in  his  hands,  evidently  ill  at  ease,  she  drew  forth  her  packet,  the 
seal  of  which  was  broken,  and  handed  it  to  him,  saying  with  sadness — 

"  My  dear  Ronayne,  I  had  hoped  that  I  should  not  have  been  under  the 
necessity  of  making  known  to  you  the  contents  of  this  note,  but  I  see  it 
cannot  be  withheld.  It  was  placed  in  my  hands,  just  after  I  had  parted 
with  Mrs.  Elmsley,  by  Serjeant  Nixon,  Avho  stated  that  Maria  had  left  it 
with  him  for  me,  as  she  rode  out  this  morning,  telling  him  it  was  of  the 
utmost  importance  that  he  should  deliver  it." 

"  I  saw  her  in  conversation  with  him,"  said  Ronayne,  as  he  took  the  note 
and  approached  the  light  to  read  it,  "  and  on  asking  what  detained  her,  she 
said,  hastily,  that  she  was  merely  sending  you  a  message — not  a  document 
of  the  importance  which  you  seem  to  attach  to  this.  I  felt  at-the  time  that 
she  was  not  dealing  seriously  with  me ;  but  as  it  seemed  a  matter  of  httle 
consequence  I  did  not  pay  much  attention  to  it ;  but,  let  me  read  !'' 

The  following  were  tho  contents  of  the  note,  which  Ronayne  eagerly 
perused,  with  what  profound  emotion 'it  need  scarcely  be  necessary  to 
describe : 

"  My  dear  Mrs.  Headley  :  When  you  receive  this,  you  Avill  have  seen  me,' 
perhaps,  for  the  last  time  ;  but  I  am  sure  that  you  will  believe  that,  in 
tearing  myself  from  the  scene  where  so  many  happy,  though  not  altogether 
unchequered  days  have  been  passed,  no  one  occupies  a  deeper  place  in  my 
regret  than  yourself,  whom  I  have  ever  regarded  as  a  second  mother.  The 
dreadful  reasons  which  exist  for  it,  however,  prevent  me,  as  a  wife,  from 
acting  otherwise.  I  know  you  will  condemn  me — tax  me  with  ingratitude 
and  selfishness.  I  am  prepared  for  reproach ;  but,  alas !  no  other  course 
remains  for  me  to  pursue.  ,If  I  have  yielded  to  the  persuasions  of  the 
gentle,  the  affectionate,  the  devoted  Wau-nan-gee,  it  is  not  so  much  on  my 
own  account  as  in  consideration  of  the  hope  held  out  to  me  of  a  long  future 
of  happiness  with  the  object  of  my  heart's  worship.  For  him  I  can,  and 
do  make  every  sacrifice,  even  to  the  incurring  of  your  displeasure,  and  the 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  43 

condemnation  of  all  wlio  know  me.  But  let  me  entreat  you  to  remember, 
that  if  he  is  seemingly  guilty,  I  alone  am  truly  so,  and  chargeable  for  tho 
deep  offence  that  will  of  coui-se  be  attributed  to  him.  Remember  tliat  I 
have  planned  the  whole ;  and  should  it  be  decreed  by  fate  that  we  never 
meet  again,  I  pray  God  in  his  infinite  goodness  to  preserve  those  whom  I 
now  abandon,  and  spare  them  the  distraction  that  weighs  upon  this 
severely-ti-ied  heart. 

"  I  promised  you  a  candid  explanation  of  everything  relating  to  what  you 
saw  yesterday.  This  you  will  find  fully  detailed  in  the  accompanying  docu- 
ment, written  after  you  had  left  me,  and  before  the  return  of  E*onayue  last 
night  from  fishing. 

"  Document !  what  document  ?"  asked  the  Virginian,  inteiTupting  him- 
self, and  in  a  voice  husky  from  emotion ;  "  there  is  nothing  here,  Mrs. 
Headley,  but  the  letter  itself." 

"  Nothing  but  that  and  the  piece  of  embroidery  which.  Maria  had  worked 
for  me  Avere  contained  in  the  packet,"  was  the  reply.  "  In  her  hurry  she 
must  have  forgotten  to  inclose  it." 

"In  the  accompanying  document  (resumed  the  Virginian,  reading)  you 
will  find  the  nature  of  my  connexion  with  Wau-nan-gee  fully  explained. 
You  will,  of  course,  make  such  use  of  all  that  is  necessary  to  your  purpose 
as  you  may  deem  ad^dsable  ;  but,  as  I  make  that  part  of  the  communication 
which  refers  to  Wau-nan-gee  strictly  confidential,  I  conjure  you  never,  in  the 
slightest  way,  to  allude  to  him  as  being  connected  eitherwith  my  evasion 
or  with  the  revelation  I  have  made  to  you  in  the  iuclosure.  Adieu,  my 
dear  Mrs.  Headley.     God  grant  we  may  meet  again ! 

"Yoxxrown  Maria." 

During  the  perusal  of  this  note,  Mrs.  Headley  had  watched  the  counte- 
nance of  Ronayne  with  much  anxiety.  She  saw  there  evidence  of  strong 
and  varied  feelings  which  he  made  an  effort  to  subdue,  and  so  far  succeeded 
that  when  he  had  finished  he  returned  the  note  to  her  -with  a  calm  she  had 
not  expected. 

"  There  is  no  need  of  further  confirmation  now,  Mrs.  Headley,"  he  said, 
with  a  bitter  half-smile.  "  You  have,  indeed,  probed  but  to  heal.  All  my 
weakness  is  past.  To-morrow  I  shall  be  mj'self  again,  and  attend  the  coun- 
cil. Pardon  me  that  I  have  been  the  cause  of  detaining  you  so  late,  and 
believe  me  when  I  say  that  deeply  do  I  thank  you  for  the  interest  you  have 
taken  in  me." 

"  God  bless  you,  Ronayne  !  Alas,  you  are  not  alone  in  your  trials — much 
of  moment  awaits  us  all.     Good  night !" 

And,  assuming  her  disguise,  she  speedily  regained  her  home. 


TTAU-KAK-GEE  ;     OR, 


CHAriER  X. 


"Xe'er  may  lie  livo  to  sec  a  sunshine  clay  that  cries — Retire,  when  Warwick  bids 
him  stay." — Jlcnry  IV. 

Ox  tho  western  bank  of  the  south  sido,  of  the  Chica^-o  River,  and  oppo- 
site to  Fort  Dearborn,  stood  the  only  buildiii/:^  which,  "witli  the  excep- 
tion of  the  cottage  of  Mr.  Ileywood  on  the  opposite  shore,  and  already 
alluded  to,  'could  at  all  come  under  the  classification  of  a  dwelling- 
house.  The  owner  of  this  mansion,  as  it  was  generally  called,  which  rose 
near  the  junction  of  the  river  with  Lake  ^liohigan,  was  a  gentleman  who 
had  been  long  a  resident  and  trader  in  the  neighborhood,  and  between 
whom  and  the  Pottowatomie  Indians  in  particular,  a  good  understanding  had 
alwa_y3  existed.  Several  voyagcurs,  consisting  of  French  Canadians  and 
half-breeds,  constitute<J  his  establishment,  and  in  the  course  of  his  specula- 
tions, chiefly  in  furs,  with  the  several  tribes,  he  had  amisscd  considerable 
wealth.  He  was,  in  foct,  the  only  person  of  any  standing  or  education  out- 
side the  wall  of  the  fort  itself,  and  of  course  the  only  civilian,  besides  Mr. 
Heywood — whom,  however,  they  far  less  frequently  saw — the  officers  of  the 
garrison  could  associate  with.  His  house  was  the  abode  of  hospitality,  and  as, 
in  his  trading  capacitj^,  he  had  opportunities  of  procuring  many  even  of  the 
luxuries  of  life  from  Detroit  and  ]3uffalo,  which  were  not  within  the  reach 
of  the  iumates  of  the  fort,  much  of  the  monotony  which  would  have  attached 
to  a  society  purely  military,  however  gifted  or  sufficient  to  their  mutual  hap- 
piness, was  thus  avoided.  His  library  was  ample,  and  there  was  scarcely 
an  author  of  celebrity  (the  world  was  not  overrun  with  them  in  those  days), 
either  historian,  essayist,  or  novelist,  whose  works  were  not  to  be  found  on 
the  shelves  of  his  massive  black  walnut  bookcase,  made  by  the  hands  of  his 
own  people  from  the  most  gigantic  trees  of  that  genus  that  could  be  found 
in  Illinois.  He  had,  moreover,  for  the  amusement  of  the  officers  of  the  lit- 
tle garrison,  prepared  a  billiard  room,  where  many  a  rainy  hour  was  passed, 
when  the  sports  of  the  chase  and  of  the  prairie  were  shut  out  to  them,  and 
for  those  who  asked  not  for  either  of  these  amusements,  there  was  a  taste- 
fully, but  not  ostentatiously,  furnished  drawing-room,  with  one  of  the  best 
pianos  made  in  those  days,  which  he  liad  had  im[)orted  at  a  great  expense 
from  the  capital  of  the  Avestern  world,  and  at  which  his  amiable  and  only 
daughter  generally  presided. 

Margaret  McKenzie  had  been  born  at  Chicago,  but  having  lost  her  raother 
at  an  early  age,  her  fixther,  profiting  by  one  of  his  periodical  visits  to 
New  York,  had  taken  her  with  him  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  such  an 
education  as  would  enable  her  not  only  to  grace  a  drawing-room,  and  make 
her  a  companion  to  a  man  of  sense  and  refinement,  but  to  fit  her  for  those 
more  domestic  duties  which  the  uncertain  character  of  so  secluded  a  life 
might  occasionally  render  necessary,  and  where  luxury  and  education  alone 
were  insufficient  to  a  trading  husband's  views  of  happiness.  After  five  years' 
absence,  she  had  returned  to  Chicago,  a  girl  of  strong  mind,  warm  affection, 
without  the  slightest  affectation,  and  altogether  so  adapted  in  manner  and 
education — for  she  eminently  combined  the  useful  with  the  ornamental — 
that  her  father  was  delighted  with  her,  not  less  for  the  proficiency  she  had 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  45 

made  in  all  that  gives  value  to  society,  but  because  of  tlie  utter  absence  of 
all  appearance  of  regret  in  abandoning  the  gay  and  enlivening  scenes  of  tho 
fascinating  capital,  in  which  she  had  spent  so  many  years,  for  the  still,  dull 
monotony  of  the  primeval  forest  in  which  her  childhood  had  been  passed. 

But  here  she  was  not  doomed  to  "  waste  her  sweetness  on  the  desert 
air.''  There  were  only  two  officers  in  the  garrison,  besides  Captain  Ileadley, 
when  'Miss  McKcnzie  returned  to  her  native  wilds — Doctor  Von  Voltenberg 
and  Lieut.  Elmsley.  The  third  wHo  made  up  the  number  of  those  attached 
to  the  company  had  a  few  days  previously  been  shot  and  scalped  by  a  party 
of  Indians  near  Hardscrabble,  while  on  his  return  to  the  fort  from  shooting 
the  hen,  or  English  grouse,  of  the  prairie.  His  place  was  supplied  by 
Ensign  Ronayne,  who  had  joined  the  garrison  a  few  days  after.  Lieutenant 
Elmsley,  captivated  by  the  accomplishments  and  amiability  of  the  fascinat- 
ing Margaret,  had  offered  her  his  heart  and  hand,  and  obtained  her  unrc- 
luctant  promise  speedily  to  share  his  barrack  room,  some  twenty  feet  by 
twelve  in  dirnensions.  Meanwhile,  in  order  to  prove  to  him  how  well  she 
was  fitted  to  be  a  soldier's  wife,  not  an  article  of  food  was  ever  placed  before 
her  father's  almost  constant  visitors  that  did  not  in  some  measure  pass  under 
lier  supervision.  Poor  would  have  been  the  preparation  of  the  grosser 
viands  had  not  her  directing  voice  presided  ;  and,  as  for  the  tarts,  and  pud- 
dings,'and  custards,  et  hoc  genus  omne,  no  one  who  tasted  could  doubt  that 
no  hands  but  her  own  had  operated  in  the  fabrication  ;  and  the  currant,  the 
cranberry,  the  strawberry  jelly,  the  peach,  the  plum,  and  the  cherry  preserve, 
and  the  currant  and  gooseberry  wine !  What,  in  the  name  of  all  that  is 
delicate  in  gastronomy,  could  be  more  delicious  or  exhibit  greater  perfection 
of  taste  !  So  thought  Von  Voltenberg.  He  was  in  raptures.  Such  a  Avife, 
he  thought,  was  all  he  wanted  to  his  comfort;  he  could  have  dispensed,  if 
necessary,  with  the  more  intellectual  portions  of  the  worth  of  Margaret 
McKenzie,  but  his  imagination  could  not  picture  to  itself  perfection  supe- 
rior to  that  of  an  interesting  and  beautiful  woman,  manipulating  among 
fruit,  and  sugar,  and  dough,  imtil  she  had  produced  results  far  sweeter  and 
much  more  prized  by  him  than  all  the  ornamental  accomplishments  in  the 
woi'ld.  It  was  even  whispered  that  the  Doctor,  deeply  sensible  of  the  trea- 
sure he  should  obtain  in  the  possessio-n  of  so  generally  useful  a  wife,  had 
absolutely  proposed  for  her,  but  that  she,  without  offending  him,  had  rejected 
^he  honor.  Whether  it  Avas  so  or  not,  no  one  knew  positively,  for  Margaret 
McKenzie  was  not  a  woman  to  triumph  in  the  humiliation  of  another,  not 
because  she  considered  it  in  any  way  a  humiliation  to  a  man  that  he  did  not 
so  accord  in  sentiment  with  her  as  to  render  an  union  for  life  with  him 
desirable,  but  because  she  knew  it  would,  however  absurdly,  draw  upon  him 
the  ill-natm-ed  comments  of  his  companions.  Be  that  as  it  may,  whether  or 
not  he  did  offer  and  was  rejected,  it  made  no  difference  in  his  relations  Avith 
the  family.  He  ate  her  dinner,  luxuriated  over  her  preserves,  and  sipped  her 
wine  as  plentifully  as  when  first  she  had  offered  them  to  him  ;  and  they 
always  Avere  the  best  friends  in  the  world. 

Soon  after  the  first  rumor  of  Von  Voltenberg's  offer — and  if  the  secret 
was  betrayed,  it  must  have  been  by  himself,  during  one  of  his  moments  of 
devotion  to  his  favorite  whiskey  punch — it  was  generally  known  throughout 
the  fort  and  neighborhood  that  Lieutenant  Elmsley  was  to  espouse  Miss 
McKenzie,  and  that  the  ceremony  was  only  delayed  until  the  anival  of  his 


46  WAU-NAN-GKE  ;    OR, 

friend  and  college  companion,  Ensign  Ronayno,  who,  appointed  to  succeed 
the  officer  so  recently  killed  and  scalped,  as  has  been  stated,  wa-5  now  almost 
daily  expected.  At  length  he  came,  and  soon  afterwards  (\'iptain  Ileadley, 
duly  commissioned  to  perform  the  service,  in  the  absence  of  a  clergyman, 
married  them,  Ronayne  assisting  as  groomsman,  and  Mrs.  Ronayne — then 
Maria  Ileywood — as  bridesmaid.  This  was  two  years  ]irevious  to  the  mar- 
riage of  the  Virginian  himself,  and  the  occasion  on  which  he  first  met  her 
whom  he  subsequently  so  fervently  adored. 

It  was  no  privation  to  Mrs.  Ehnsley  to  forsake  the  almost  luxurious  ease 
of  her  father's  house  for  the  more  sober  accommodation  of  her  husband's 
barrack-rooms.  True,  these  were  comfortably  furnished,  but  still  they  had 
that  primness  which  belongs  ever  to  the  quarters  of  a  soldier;  but  from  the 
moment  of  casting  her  destiny,  she  had  determined  in  every  sense  to  be  a 
soldier's  wife,  and  to  inure  hei-self  from  the  first  to  the  plainness  incident  to 
the  condition.  All  she  had  transferred  to  the  fort  was  her  music  and«her 
books ;  and  if  at  any  moment  caprice  or  inclination  led  her  to  desire  a 
change,  it  was  but  to  get  up  a  little  party,  such  as  their  limited  social  circle 
would  permit,  and  transfer  the  amusements  of  the  day  to  her  father's  more 
inviting  mansion,  where  the  servants  had  from  herself  learned  all  the  art  of 
management.  Lively  in  disposition  in  the  extreme,  Mrs.  Elmsley  loved  to 
promute  the  comfort  of  others  ;  and  as  her  husband  possessed  an  equally 
happy  temperament,  they  contributed  not  a  httle  to  enliven  the  circle  of  which, 
in  point  of  gaiety,  they  might  be  said  to  be  the  centre. 

The  owner  of  the  establishment  himself — Mr.  McKenzie — was  fond  of 
good  living,  and  having  arrived  at  an  age  when  continued  prosperity  per- 
mitted a  relaxation  tVom  the  toils  of  the  earlier  and  cooler  portions  of  the 
day,  loved  to  indulge  after  dinner  in  a  large  arm-chair,  placed  in  a  veranda 
that  overlooked  the  fort  and  country  around,  and  where  the  light  air  from 
the  lake,  weaving  through  the  branches  of  the  thin  trees,  swept  with  refresh- 
ing coolness  along  the  broad  corridor.  He  generally  smoked  the  fragrant 
herbs  of  the  Indians,  mixed  with  tobacco,  and  sipped  the  delicious  clarets 
with  which  his  cellar  was  stocked,  and  which  he  kept,  not  for  sale  or  barter, 
but  for  the  exclusive  use  of  himself  and  friends. 

Immediately  after  Winnebeg  had  left  Captain  Headley,  he  made  his  way 
to  the  mansion  of  Mr.  McKenzie,  whom  he  found,  as  usual,  sitting  in  his 
veranda,  enjoying  his  pipe  and  wine  after  dinner.  The  greeting  was  that 
of  old  friends  long  separated.  They  had  known  each  other  from  their 
youth ;  and,  while  the  Indian  entertained  the  highest  respect  for  the  charac- 
ter and  opinions  of  Mr.  McKenzie,  the  latter  in  turn  reposed  the  most 
unbounded  confidence  in  the  sincerity  and  integrity  of  the  chief. 

"  Well,  Winnebeg,  my  old  friend,  where  do  you  come  from  ?  WTiere 
have  you  been  all  this  time  ?  I  thought  you  had  deserted  us  altogether. 
But  I  recollect  now  ;  Captain  Headley  sent  j-ou  with  despatches  to  Detroit. 
What  news  do  you  bring  back  ?  But  first  try  a  glass  of  claret.  Harry  !" 
■ — calling  out  to  a  son  of  one  of  his  voyageurs,  who  acted  in  his  household 
in  the  capacity  of  his  private  servant — "  bring  another  chair  and  a  wine- 
glass.'' 

"  Yes,  come  from  Detroit,  Missa  Kenzie,"  replied  the  Indian  gravely,  as 
he  seated  himself,  took  his  tomahawk  from  his  side,  filled  it,  and  began  to 
smoke  ;  "  bring  him  bad  news  for  you — for  all." 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  47 

''  How  is  this,  Winnebeg  ?"  exclaimed  liis  listeuer,  putting  down  the 
glass  which  he  had  raised  to  his  lips.     "  What  bad  ncAvs  do  you  mean  ?" 

"  Leave  him  all  dis,"  he  observed,  as  he  swept  his  hand  towards  the  fort 
and  the  outhouses  and  buildings  containing  Mr.  McKenzie's  property — the 
profits  of  a  long  life  passed  in  a  region  to  which  he  had  become  attached 
from  veiy  habit. 

"  Leave  what !  my  property  ?  I  do  not  understand  you,  Winnebeg ; 
speak  out !  What  are  you  driving  at,  man  ?  What  necessity  is  there  for 
all  this  ?" 

"  English  fight  Ijim  Yankee  now — big  war  begun.  By  by  English  come, 
take  him  Chicago !" 

"  The  war  begun  !"  said  Mr.  McKenzie,  rising  in  astonishment  from  his 
seat;  "  do  you  mean  to  say,  Winnebeg,  that  the  English  and  Americans  are 
actually  at  war  ?  that  they  have  been  fighting  at  Detroit  ?  How  do  you 
know  if?" 

"  How  him  know  it  ?"  returned  the  chief ;  "  look  here,  Winnebeg  fight 
him  English,"  and  baring  his  thigh,  just  below  the  left  hip,  he  showed  the 
scar  of  a  superficial  flesh  wound  still  encrusted  Avith  blood. 

"  Where  did  you  get  that,  Winnebeg,  and  how  long  since  ?" 

"  Two  week,"  he  Replied,  holding  up  as  many  fingers,  "  near  Canard 
Bridge,  close^  to  Maiden,  Canada — General  Hull  angry — say  W^innebeg  no 
business  fight — carry  him  despatches." 

"  General  Hull !  How  long  has  General  Hull  been  there  ?  "rVhere, 
then,  is  Colonel  Miller,  of  the  fourth  regiment,  who  commanded  the  otner 
day  ?" 

"  Colonel  Miller  Detroit  too ;  but  Hull  big  officer — gi-eat  chief — come 
with  plenty  sogers — send  Winnebeg  with  despatch  to  Gubbenor  here." 

"  Indeed  !  This  is  important ;  I  must  hasten  to  see  Captain  Headley,  and 
learn  from  him  the  contents.  Alas!  my  good  friend  Winnebeg,  this  news 
may,  and  I  fear  Avill,  be  the  cause  of  my  utter  ruin.  Of  course,  you  have 
no  idea  of  what  the  despatch  contains  ?" 

'"  Yes,  Missa  Kenzie,  Winnebeg  know.  Winnebeg  wish  to  speak  to  you 
about  despatch — say  go  directly  to  Fort  Wayne." 

"  The  troops  ordered  to  Fort  Wayne,  and  all  we  ])0ssess  left  wholly 
unprotected.  This  is  indeed  a  calamity,"  said  the  trader,  raising  his  hand 
to  liis  now  thoughtful  brow. 

"  You  no  take  him  goods  on  pack-horses  to  Fort  Wayne  ?"  remarked  the 
Indian  inquiringly. 

"  Impossible,  Winnebeg  !  I  might  take  a  few  packages  of  peltries,  but 
the  great  bulk  must  be  left  behind  ;  yet  it  seems  to  me  folly  to  go  to  Fort 
Wayne.     We  shall  be  cut  off  before  we  get  there.'' 

"  Just  so,"  returned  Winnebeg.  "  See  him  Gubbenor,  Missa  McKenzie  ; 
tell  him  not  go.  Stay  here — fort  strong — plenty  powder— plenty  guns — 
you  cell  him  so." 

"  Most  assuredly  I  will ;  and  if  he  adopts  the  most  prudent  course,  he 
will  remain.  With  your  strong  force  without  and  ours  within,  we  may  have 
a  fair  chance  with  any  force  that  may  be  brought  against  us,  whereas 
heaven  only  knows  what  may  not  be  the  result  if  we  attempt  so  long  a  march 
through  the  wilderness,  alive  with  Indians  in  the  interest  of  the  British. 
Good  by,  Winnebeg ;  you  will  excuse  me,  I  am  sure,  for  there  must  be  no 


48  "WAU-NAN-GEIC  ;    OR, 

time  lost  in  consulting  with  Captain  Ileadlcy.  ^Iiike  yourself  at  home,  and 
call  out  to  Harry  for  anything  you  may  want.  That  claret  will  not 
hurt  you  after  your  long  journey  ;  it  is  pleasant  to  the  taste,  and  not  very 
strong." 

'' Tankei?,  Massa  Kenzie ;  Winnehog  go  to  Pottowattoniie  camp — not  been 
dere  yet.  Guhbeuor  say  no  tell  him  Ingins  war  begun  till  hold  council 
to-morrow.     Winnebog  sure  him  know  it  fi'<?e,  four  days.'' 

"  Wh}^,  do  you  think  that,  Winnebeg,  since  there  has  been  no  intelligence 
of  the  kind  since  your  arrival  ?'' 

"  See  him  plenty  Pottowattoniie  here  in  Deti-oit  while  "VYiunebeg  wait  for 
despatches." 

"  Indeed  ;  but  they  may  not  have  returned." 

"  Don't  know — maybe  no,  maybe  yes." 

"  "Well,  to-morrow  the  matter  will  be  no  secret,  "VVinnebeg ;  and  somo 
decision  will  no  doubt  be  added.  In  the  meantime,  you  will  be  able  to 
karn  whether  anything  is  known  in  the  encampment  of  this  unwelcome  news, 
and,  if  so,  what  your  people  think  of  it." 

"  Kenzic,''  said  the  chief,  taking  and  warmly  grasping  the  trader's  hand, 
"  all  Foito  tvattomies  tink  like  Winnebeg — no  go  to  Fort  "Wayne." 


CHAPTER  XL 

When  Mr.  McKenzie  entered  the  fo-rt,  it  was  with  a  clouded  brow  and  an 
oppressed  heart.  At  the  gate  he  met  his  son-in-law,  Lieutenant  Elmsley, 
who,  while  burning  with  impatience  to  be  near  and  console  his  unfortunate 
friend,  was  without  the  power  to  leave  his  post,  and  in  his  vexation  and 
annoyance,  kept  pacing  rapidly  up  and  do\vn  in  front  of  the  guard-house. 

"  What  is  the  matter,  Elmsley — what  disturbs  you  so  unusually  ?" 

"  Can  you  ask,  sir,''  said  the  officer,  "  or  have  you  not  heard  the  dread- 
ful news  ?" 

"  Yes,  I  have  heard  it,  but  did  not  suppose  it  had  as  yet  been  generally 
known." 

"  The  whole  garrison  knows  it.  It  could  not  be  concealed.  The  poor 
fellow  rushed  like  a  madman  to  announce  it.  He  fell  fainting  to  the  ground, 
and  was  carried  to  his  room,  where,  even  at  this  moment,  Mrs.  Headley  and 
Margaret  are  attending  him." 

"  AttendincT  whom  ?"  demanded  Mr.  McKenzie  with  an  air  of  astonish- 
ment, "  and  to  what  are  you  alluding  V 

"  "Why,  Ronayne,  of  course ;  to  whom  do  you  allude  if  not  to  him  ? 
Have  you  not  heard  that,  while  riding  out  with  his  wife  and  Von  Volten- 
berg  this  afternoon,  they  were  intercepted  by  a  party  of  hostile  Indians,  and 
poor  Maria  taken  prisoner." 

"  God  bless  my  soul,  is  it  possible  ?  This  is  terrible,  indeed.  Are  we 
then  already  surrounded  by  hostile  Indians,  and  is  the  war  already  brought 
to  our  door '?" 

♦'"War!  what  war?"  asked  the  subaltern,  "and  what  has  this  fearful 
piece  of  treacheiy  to  do  with  open  war — war  with  whom?" 


THE    MASSACI^S;    AT-CHJCAGO.  IftV 

'engaged  in  hostilities — lias  Winnebeg  not  reyealedthi^,?".  iM  ■,-,  •tu  I.  y  ■!.; 
.  !  :".  Npt;  a  •v(fpj;d,"  jreplipd ;  J^i^itenautliliflj^ley,  i^stonislied,  in  liii*!  tu^iij  at -the 
information.  '  .■![.. -^r.^::!  ••.■■--;;  ■-'.'.  .>'  .  •i    :    ■:■■  ],■.'.:; 

*.'  At  aqotbi^r  .inoraent,  .and  on  an  indifferent  occasion,  this  mutual  misun- 
der^^tauJiiig  ^^liglit, afford  room  for  pleasaiitry,"  continued  Mr.  McKenzje 
Avith  a  grave  smile  ;  "  but  if  Is  not  so.,  ^'inncbeg,  I  ?ee,  iias  been  trucitp 
his  tru|5t;  |anf],.x'yltI)Oiagh  cognizant  of  tli9/;n;atvfre  of  tb^;despatphes,  reve-uled 
the  info^'ipation,  to  no  one  hut  myself,  whom,  hp  regarded, as  having  not  only 
ii,  right  to.^pp.'^sess  it  at  the  ,  Cfirliegt  moment,  but  as,  being  the  most  pioper 
person  to  advise  withtlie  commanding  officer,  at  the  earliest  moment,  on  the 
measures  to-  be  -adopted.  1  am  here  for  that  purpose  ;  think  you  1  slijdl  find, 
liini  alone„  for  I  wouldn't  enter  upon  the  subject  before  Mrs.  IJeiidley,":   •,-,. 

"I  have  just  said  that  ]\Irs,.  IJeadlej  and  Margaret  are  in  attendancei  on 
the  unfortunate  Ronayne,,"'  replied  Elmsley.,;;  ■'i  ;Y,pu,,^i)l,,  t^herelore,  be  .sui-^ 
,to  find  him  alone,  aud.no  doubt  busied,,iu  t^i^  for^g^ionjof-iplanS)  of  opera- 
.tipn  consequent  on  this  inteJligence.''    .  ,  .  j   ,..;      ,[;;.,    ;  ;  ,,   .,    .;.  ,        ;  ,  :  ,  , 

'♦Recollect,  not  a  word  of  this  untiljt  is  p|ficially  revealed.  ,  I  shall  npt 
even  let  Captain  Headley  know  that  I  am  aware  of  the  facts,  but,  siimply 
state  that,  having  heard  he  was  iii  the  .r^jqeiptcsf-despatches,  I  had  come  to 
know  if  there  was  any  ne\ys  of  irnportance»  ;But,  pf  one  ;thing  I  would  wai'n 
jou,  Elmsley ;  there  will  be  a  council  of  war  to-morrow»  and  I  could  wish 
that  your  view  of  the  subject  may,  lead  you  to  prefer  defending,  the  fort  to 
the  last  extremity  ill  preference  tq.c),  long,  and  uncertain -retreat  tq  Por[t 
Wayne,  which  I  know  is  suggested  in  the' despatch."  '■    .,,;) 

.  '*  I  shall  have  no,  difficul^ty  in  ^rrivi^g,  at  that;  depiijion/V^^tufni^  the 
..officer  of  the  guar^/f',jtor  qpmhppn  sjensq  only,  is  necessary  ,tp.  show  the 
advantages  of  one  course  over  tlic  other.  In  the  meantime,,  I  shall  evince 
.no  knowledge  pf  what  you  have  conveyed  to  me,  until  the  hour  of  councih 
Did  no  other  consideration  weigh  with  me,  I  would  oppose  a  movement 
'which  cuts  us  off  from  all  hope. of  restoring  the  de.-^r  lost  wife  of,lvQnayae 
to  Iier  distracted  husband."  ,  ,  ,       :  ..•       ,■]■,:  .1  '■  : 

\  "Good  bye,  God  bless  you,"  answered  the  trader,  as  he  mpyedto-yrai'd^ 
the  quarters  of  Captain  Headley.  '    .,,..;,.,,.  ...,.',  ■■■,,'•■, I'tui 

"Then,"  mused  Elmsley,  when  alone,  "arelhe  faret)oding^.pf  ithat  ^sty- 
old  number  of  the  I)^ational  Intelligencer  whicH  I  have  thumbed  for  hours 
over  and  over  again  for  the  last  three  months,  at  length  finally  realized^ — 
and  Avar  is  come  at  last ;  well,  be  it  so !  .My  chief  anxiety  is  for  Margaret, 
Would  that  she  and  all  the  rest  of  the  weak  women  in  this  forti-ess  were  safe. 
H  within  the  fortifications  of  Detroit ;  but  all  evil  seems  to  be  coming  upon  us 
at  once."  ,  ''    '  '     "        ■•  ,,  ,;; 

"  Ah  !  Mr,  McKenzie^  I  laipa.^Y.ery  gl^d  tp  seei  ypu,"  said  Captain  ileadlej, 
rising  as  the  trader  entei-eii  tbe  room  set  apart  for  .his  library;  and  the  tr^iflSr-. 
action  of  military  official  business.  ^  "  'take  a  se,at. ;  1  Ypu  .0pul,d  not  have  Jf^l^ 
me  a  more  opportune  visit." ,  .  ,,  ,  ,,  ,,.:,    .       .   '     ,..  .    ,  »,-'[| 

"Ihad  understood  that  \Vinnebeg  had  just  returned  with  despfatchig^ 
from  Detroit,"  remarked  the  trader,  "and  am  come  to  learn  the  news.."  ,,,( ,^ 

"  Bad  enough,"  answered  Capt^  Headley,  gravely,  as  he  handej.tc)  (hjypa 
the  despatchyfrom  General  Hull.     "Read  tliat !"  ^   •.'         :  ',' ,    -  ..',.'1;^ '■/■•' i') 


<flO  TVAU-NAN-GEE  ;     OK, 

n.ituro  not  to  please  hiiti,  for  as  hn  read  he  knit  his  brow,  bit  liis  lip,  ami 
uttered  more  than  one  ejaculatory  "pish!"' 

'•  And  what  do  you  intend  to  do,  Captain  llcadley  ?"  lie  demanded,  as  he 
iwistod  the  paper  in  his  finrrors  impatiently. 

"Stay,  my  dear  sir,"  said  the  ct)nimandinnr  officer,  anxiously,  "donottlius 
distio-nre  or  slight  the  general's  ofliei.-d — I  must  ])reservc  it  as  the  only  voucher 
lor  the  coui-sc  I  shall  in  all  jirobability  ]nn-sue." 

"  What  is  that  com-se?"  asked  Mr.  McKenzie;  "surely,  Captain  Ileadley, 
you  will  not  strictly  follow  the  letter  of  these  instructions  ?  You  are  not 
compelled  to  do  so.  It  is  left  optional  with  yourself;  and  there  cannot  be  a 
question  as  to  the  great  disadvantage  attending  a  retreat." 

"  Pardon  me,"  said  the  commanding- officer,  Avith  something  of  the  hauteur 
of  one  sensible  of  his  own  personal  responsibility ;  "  I  consider  every  para- 
graph in  this  official  as  a  direct  order.  The  only  sentence  that  would  appear 
to  leave  a  certain  option  with  myself  is  where  reference  is  made  to  the  2^'>'C':- 
ticability  of  retreat.  Now,  I  can  see  nothing  impracticable  in  it.  We  have 
nothing  to  apprehend,  with  a  body  of  five  hundred  brave  Pottowattomies  for 
our  escort,  while,  if  we  continue  here  we  must  expect  a  strong  13riti:ih  force 
sj^eedily  upon  us." 

"  Let  me  give  you  a  word  of  counsel  before  this  question  is  publicly  dis- 
cussed," returned  the  trader  seriously  ;  "  I  know  the  Indians  well,  and  how 
easily  they  are  influenced  by  circumstances.  Friendly  as  these  Pottowato- 
raies  now  seem  to  be,  the  influence  of  the  majority  of  the  tribes  who  have 
joined  the  British  forces  may  soon  change  them  from  friends  into 
foes." 

"My  life  on  their  fidelity,"  returned  Captain  Headley,  with  unusual  en- 
ergy. "  While  Winnebeg  continues  with  them,  I  feel  that  I  should  dishonor 
by  doubting  him." 

"  Do  not  mistake  me,"  returned  the  trader.  "  Your  faith  in  the  honesty 
of  Winnebeg,  Capt.  Headley,  is  not  greater  than  my  own — nay,  not  so  great, 
perhaps,  for  I  have  known  and  always  regarded  him  from  his  boyhood  ;  but 
all  the  Pottowattomies  are  not  AVinncbegs,  neither  are  the  warriors  so  com- 
pletely under  the  control  of  their  chiefs  as  to  permit  their  counsels  alone  to 
influence  their  actions.'' 

"  You  do  not  niean  to  say  that  you  have  reason  to  doubt  any  of  these 
people,  Mr.  McKenzie '?"  renaai-ked  the  captain,  seriously  and  inquiringly. 

"  Not  at  all ;  but  I  wish  to  show  how  much  more  imprudent  it  would  be 
to  trust  to  them  than  to  ourselves  ;  reinforcements  may  arri\e  in  time  if  they 
are  sent  for  immediately,  and  should  they  not,  it  will  be  time  enough  to 
think  of  evacuating  when  our  Indian  spies  bring  us  notice  of  the  prepara- 
tions of  the  British  to  attack  us."  * 

"  And  should  they  arrive  befoi-e  our  retreat  is  begun,  then  must  we  be 
driven  int(5  an  unequal  contest,  for  the  order  of  the  secretary  at  war  expressly 
declares  that  no  post  shall  be  surrendered  without  a  battle.  It  is  evident 
that  the  fort  cannot  be  maintained  against  a  regular  force  ;  therefore,  the  gar- 
rison, or  they  who  survive  the  assault,  must  be  made  prisoners  in  any  case  ; 
"whereas,  by  retiiing  now,  we  not  only  prevent  the  advance  of  the  enemy,  to 
the  manifest  ruin  of  yourself  and  other  settlers  in  the  neighborhood,  but 
can-y  succor  to  Fort  Wayne.  This  is  the  resolution  I  have  taken.  After 
first  consulting  with  my  officers  on  public  parade  in  the  morning,  when  our 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  51 

position  shall  be  fully  made  known  to  all,  I  shall  meet  the  Indians  in  coun- 
cil.    The  necessary  directions  have  been  conveyed  to  Winnebcg." 

"  I  can  only  regret,  sir,"  returned  Mr.  !McKenzie,  with  great  gravity  of 
speech  and  deportment,  "that  your  determination  j^hould  have  been  formed 
before  consulting  with  your  officers.  In  a  case  of  this  kind,  involving  the 
interests  of  all,  it  becomes,  I  should  conceive,  not  a  mere  courtesy  but  a 
duty,  that  the  opinions  and  advice  of  all  competent  to  judge  should  be 
taken." 

"  You  need  not  be  alarmed,  Mr.  McKenzie ;  I  perfectly  know  how  to  act 
on  this  occasion.  The  opinions  of  my  officers  shall  be  taken,  even  as  I  have 
taken  yours.  If  you  have  anything  further  to  offer,  therefore,  I  shall  be 
happy  to  hear  it." 

"  Captain  Headley,"  returned  the  trader,  rising  with  dignity,  and  taking 
up  his  hat,  "  I  have  nothing  further  of  advice  to  offer  to  one  so  confident  in 
his  own  judgment ;  but  bear  in  mind  what  I  now  tell  you,  that  if  you  follow 
the  letter  of  these  instructions  rather  than  the  spirit,  you  will  have  cause  to 
repent  it.  1  make  not  this  remark  from  mere  considerations  of  my  own  per- 
sonal interests,  which,  of  course,  will  be  greatly  affected  by  this  a1)andon- 
ment  of  the  post,  but  because  I  sincerely  believe  that  a  defence  will  entail 
less  disaster  than  a  march  through  the  vast  wilderness  we  shall  have  to  tra- 
verse, hampered  as  we  shall  be  with  women,  less  able  to  bear  up  against 
fatigue,  privation,  and  disaster.  As  the  Indian  orators  say,  '  I  have  spoken  !' 
and  now,  sir,  I  have  the  honor  of  wishing  you  a  very  good  day." 

"  Well,  what  says  he — what  does  he  intend  V  asked  Lieutenant  Elmsley, 
who  was  lingering  near  the  gate,  waiting  for  the  retm-n  of  his  father- 
in-law. 

"He  is  an  obstinate,  conceited  ^amrod,"  returned  the  latter,  peevishly; 
"  but  you  Avill  know  all  to-morrow,  for  he  really  intends  to  do  you  the  honor 
to  consult  you  in  the  morning.'' 

"  But  what  is  his  decision  1    You  have  not  said." 

"  To  give  up  everything  to  the  Indians,  and  retreat  forthwith." 

"  Can  it  be  possible  V  exclaimed  the  officer,  perfectly  indignant  at  the 
communication. 

"  Even  so.  Alas,  for  the  poor  women,  and  the  ladies  particularly !  what 
a  march  for  them ;  but  I  go,  meanwhile,  to  '  set  my  house  in  order.' 
Well,  Elmsley,  all  I  had  garnered  up  through  a  quarter  of  a  century  of 
incessant  toil,  as  a  heritage  for  you  and  yours,  will,  I  fear,  be  utterly  lost.'' 

"  God  bless  you,"  said  the  officer,  grasping  his  hand,  "think  not  of  that. 
There  are  fiir  weightier  considerations  at  stake  than  those  of  a  merely  pecu- 
niary nature.  The  lesson  Margaret  has  taught  herself — to  be  contented  to 
live  on  a  soldier's  pay — will  not  have  altogether  been  thrown  away  upon 
her.     The  loss  of  her  fortune  is  the  least  calamity  to  be  dreaded." 

"  Nobly  said,  Elmsley.  Well  are  you  worthy  of  her !"  He  warmly 
shook  the  hand  that  still  lingered  in  his  own,  and  then  turned  the  angle  of 
the  gateway  leading  down  to  his  own  dwelling. 


Si  WAU-NAN-GEE  ;     OR, 

CHAPTER  XII. 

"For  we  to-morrow  hold  divided  council." — Richard  III. 

Ox  the  following  morning  there  was  unusual  commotion  in  tlie  fort,  and, 
notwithstanding  the  great  sultriness  of  the  weather,  both  officei-s  and  men 
appeared  in  the  full  costume  of  the  regiment  from  an  early  hour.  The 
bright  and  silken  flag,  worked  by  the  hands  of  Mrs.  Ronayne,  had  been 
hoisted  by  Corjioral  Nixon's  own  hands,  for  he  knew  that  not  a  man  of  the 
garrison  would  look  upon  it  without  vividly  interesting  himself  in  the  fate 
.of  her  who  had  worked  it,  and  desiring  to  be  a  volunteer  of  the  party  he 
fully  expected  would  be  sent  out  that  morning  to  attempt  her  rescue. 
Already  had  he  decided  on  five  of  the  number  who,  besides  himself,  would 
be  selected  by  Ronayne  on  the  occasion,  and  these  were  Collins,  Phillips, 
Weston,  Green,  and  Watson.  lie  knew  that  an  early  parade  had  been 
ordered  by  Captain  Ileadley,  and  as  this  was  a  rare  occurrence,  he  could 
assign  no  ether  cause  for  it  than  the  desire  the  commanding  officer  enter- 
tained to  send  off  the  little  expedition  as  speedily  as  possible. 

Precisely  at  eight  o'clock  the  roll  of  the  drum  brought  forth  from  their 
respective  barrack  rooms  some  sixty  men,  composing  the  strength  of  the  lit- 
tle fort,  with  the  exception  of  the  invalids  and  convalescents,  some  fifteen  in 
number.  But  even  of  these,  such  as  could  find  strength  to  drag  themselves, 
came  forth  and  lingered  in  the  rear  of  the  slowly  forming  little  line,  Avhile 
women  and  children  gathered  in  groups  near  the  guard-house,  anxious  to  see 
who  would  be  the  fortunate  ones  selected  for  the  recovery  of  the  much- 
loved  wife  of  their  favorite. 

A  few  moments  later,  and  the  officers  were  seen  approaching  from  their 
several  quarters  to  join  the  parade.  Captain  Headley,  dressed  in  his  newest 
uniform,  was  the  first  on  the  ground ;  then  came  the  Doctor,  then  Elmsley, 
for,  on  that  occasion,  the  guard  at  the  gate  had  been  left  without  an  officer ; 
and  lastly,  much  to  the  surprise  of  all,  Ronayne.  As  he  approached,  all 
eyes  were  fixed  upon  him,  and  every  breast  acknowledged  a  sympathy  in 
the  pallor  of  his  now  unmoved  brow,  that  in  more  than  one  instance 
moulded  itself  into  a  tear  it  was  impossible  to  suppress.  As  for  the  women, 
they  held  their  aprons  to  their  eyes  and  wept  outright.  On  gaining  his  com- 
pany, the  Virginian  touched  his  cap  as  usual  to  the  commander  of  th-e 
parade,  and,  passing  close  by  Elmsley,  whose  eyes  he  saw  riveted  upon  him 
with  much  interest,  he  significantly  grasped  his  hand. 

"  Mr.  Elmsley,"  ordered  the  commandant,  "  let  the  company  be  wheeled 
iawards,  to  form  a  hollow  square." 

The  order  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  within  the  square  stood  the  little 
group  of  officers. 

"  Gentlemen  and  men !"  began  Captain  Ileadley,  as  he  unfolded  a 
despatch,  "  it  is  on  no  common  occasion  that  we  find  ourselves  assembled 
this  morning." 

Every  eye  was  again  turned  upon  Ronayne.  The  looks  of  the  men 
seemed  to  say,  "  We  know  it,  and  we  are  prepared  to  do  our  utmost  to 
repair  the  evdl." 

"  There  is  not  a  man  of  tis,  your  honor,"  said  Corporal  Collins,  "  who  is 


TUE    MASSACRE    AT    CHICAGO.  53 

not  ready  to  volunteer  to  go  out  and  recover  Mrs.  Ronayne,  or  die  in  the 
attempt.     You  have  but  to  say  the  word." 

"  Silence,  sir  !  How  dare  you  presume  to  speak  in  the  ranks  !  Corpoi'al 
CoUins,  from  this  day  you  lose  your  stripes, — a  fit  example,  truly,  for 
a  non-commissioned  officer  to  set  to  the  men,  Mr.  Elmsley,  you  will  see  to 
this." 

The  lieutenant  gravely  touched  his  hat,  but  replied  not. 

"  It  is  not  for  this  purpose  that  I  have  assembled  you,"  resumed  Captain 
Headlcy."  Much  as  is  to  be  deplored  the  unfortunate  occurrence  of  yester- 
day, matters  of  deeper  importance  must  engage  our  attention  now." 

Many  of  the  men  shrugged  their  shoulders,  and  looked  their  discontent 
They  could  not  imagine  what  he  meant,  or  what  could  be  of  more  import- 
ance to  them  than  the  recovery  of  the  lost  lady. 

The  parade  was  once  more  called  to  attention,  when  Captain  Ileadley 
proceeded  to  read  to  them  the  document  that  has  been  so  often  before  the 
reader. 

"  You  see,  gentlemen  and  men,"  he  continued,  when  he  had  finished  the 
perusal,  "  how  intricate  is  our  position,  and  how  little  choice  thei-e  is  left  to 
us  to  decide  in  the  matter.  It  must  be  but  mere  form  to  ask  your  opinions  on 
the  subject,  for  the  directions  of  the  General  are  so  positive  that  our  duty  is 
implicitly  to  follow  them.  Mr.  Elmsley,  as  the  oldest  officer,  what  is  your 
opinion  ?" 

All  had  heard  with  the  greatest  surprise  the  unexpected  communication, 
but  there  were  few  who  were  of  the  opinion  of  their  commander,  that  their 
safety  would  be  best  insured  by  a  retreat.  The  men,  of  course,  were  not 
expected  to  have  a  voice  in  the  consultation,  but  it  was  desirable  that  they 
should  hear  what  their  respective  officers  had  to  say,  and  therefore  the  sub- 
ject had  been  opened  to  the  latter  in  their  presence. 

"  My  opinion.  Captain  Headley,"  returned  his  lieutenant,  "  can  be  of  little 
weight  in  a  matter  which  you  appear  to  have  decided  already ;  however,  as 
it  is  asked  in  presence  of  the  whole  garrison,  in  presence  of  the  whole  gar- 
rison will  I  give  it.  On  no  account  should  we  retire  from  this  post.  Our 
force,  it  is  true,  is  small,  but  we  have  stout  hearts  and  willing  hands,  and, 
with  four  good  bastions  to  protect  our  flanks  of  defence,  we  may  make  a 
better  resistance  than  it  appears  they  have  done  at  Mackinaw,  should  the 
British  deem  it  worth  their  while  to  come  so  for  out  of  their  way  to  attack 
us.  My  own  impression  is  that  they  will  not,  for  there  is  nothing  to  be 
gained  by  the  conquest  of  a  post  which  commands  no  channel  of  communi- 
cation, and  therefore  offers  no  advantage  to  compensate  for  the  sacrifice  of 
life  necessary  to  take  it.  Certainly,  nothing  will  be  attempted  unless  Detroit 
itself  should  fall.  The  British  forces  will  have  too  much  to  occu|:)y  them 
there  to  think  of  weakening  by  dividing  the  troops  they  have  in  that  quar- 
ter. On  the  other  hand,  should  we  undertake  a  protracted  march  to  Fori 
Wajme,  encumbered  as  we  are  Avith  women,  and  children,  and  invalids,  there, 
is  but  too  great  reason  to  infer  that  parties  of  British  Indians,  apprised  of 
our  march,  will  hasten  to  the  attack,  and  then  our  position  in  the  heart  of 
the  woods  will  be  hopeless  indeed.  These,  sir,  are  my  views  on  the  subject, 
nor  can  I  conceive  how  a  man  of  common  discernment  can  entertain  any 
other." 

"  Mr.  Elmsley,  I  merely  asked  you,  in  courtesy,  to  pronounce  your  own 


54  WAU-XAN-OEE  ;    OR, 

opinion,  not  indirectly  to  jiass  censure  on  those  of  your  superiors.  I  ha\e 
stated  not  only  my  opinion,  but  my  decision.  Even  were  I  desirous  to 
remain  I  could  not,  for  our  provisions  are  nearly  consumed.'' 

"  Wliv,  captain,"  said  Phillips,  speakiiii;-  from  his  place  in  the  ranks,  "  I 
know  that  we  have  cattle  enough  to  last  the  troops  six  months." 

"  Who  speaks  I  Who  dares  to  question  niy  assertion  ?"  thundered  Capt. 
lloadley.  "  We  may  have  cattle  enough,"  he  added,  in  a  milder  tone,  feel- 
ing that  some  explanation  was  due  to  the  men  generally,  "  but  we  are  defi- 
cient in  salt  to  cure  the  meat  when  killed." 

"  A  sheer  pretence  !"  muttered  another  voice  not  far  from  Phillips ; 
"  where  there  is  a  will,  there  is  a  way." 

"  Who  spoke '?"  demanded  Captain  Headley,  angrily. 

'•  I  did,  sir,"  answered  Collins ;  "  you  have  taken  the  stripes  from  me,  you 
can  do  no  more." 

"  Drummers,  into  the  square  !"  ordered  the  captain.  "  Gentlemen,  before 
we  proceed  further  in  this  matter,  this  man  must  be  tried  for  insubordination 
— a  drum  head  court  martial  immediately.  Sergeant  Nixon,  go  to  the 
orderly's  room  and  bring  the  articles  of  war." 

"  Nay,  Captain  Headley,"  interposed  the  sergeant,  "  poor  Collins  !" 

"  What,  sir  !  do  you,  too,  disobey  ?" 

"  No,  sir,"  returned  the  non-commissioned  officer,  respectfully,  "  but  I 
thought  when  brave  men  would  so  soon  be  wanted  for  the  defence  of  those 
colors,  your  honor  could  not  be  serious  in  your  threat  to  score  their  backs ; 
and  a  "braver  and  a  better  soldier  than  Corporal  Collins  is  nowhere  to 
be  found  in  the  American  ranks.  He  is  excited,  sir,  by  the  loss  of 
Mrs. " 

"  Stay,  Nixon,"  interrupted  Ensign  Ronayne,  "  not  another  word.  Cap- 
tain Headley,"  he  resumed,  sternly,  turning  round  to  his  commandant,  "  if 
Corporal  Collins  is  punished,  you  will  have  to  punish  me  also,  for  I  swear 
that  be  but  a  hand  laid  upon  him,  and  1  will  incur  such  guilt  of  insubordi- 
nation as  must  compel  you  to  place  me  under  arrest.  This  severity,  sir,  at 
such  a  moment,  is  misplaced,  and  not  to  be  borne." 

"  Mr.  Ronayne,  depend  upon  it,  this  conduct  on  your  part  shall  not  pass 
umioticed.  When  the  proper  time  arrives,  expect  to  be  put  upon  your  trial 
for  this  most  unofficer-like  interference  with  my  authority.  At  present,  I 
can  ill  afford  to  spare  your  services,  and  placing  you  in  arrest  now  would 
only  be  to  affect  the  interests  of  my  command.  When  we  reach  Fort  Wayne, 
you  may  rely  upon  a  proper  representation  of  your  behavior.  Private  Col- 
lins, retire  to  your  place  in  the  ranks." 

"  Reach  Fort  Wayne  !"  returned  the  Virginian,  emphatically.  "  Mark 
me,  sir,  Ave  shall  never  reach  Fort  Wayne.  Captain  Headley,"  he  con- 
tinued, more  calmly,  "  look  at  those  colors ;  do  you  not  think  we  shall  find 
more  spirit  to  defend  them  while  floating  there  (and  he  pointed  to  them), 
calling  upon  us,  as  Tt  were,  to  remember  the  day  when  first  they  were 
unfurled  before  the  British  Lion,  than  when  carrying  them  off"  encased  and 
strapped  with  the  old  kettles  and  pans  of  the  company  upon  some  raw- 
boned  old  pack-horse,  as  if  ashamed  to  show  themselves  to  an  enemy." 

"  And  those  colors  especially,"  ventured  Sergeant  Nixon,  emboldened  by 
the  warm  language  in  his  defence  used  by  the  high-spirited  young  officer. 
**  They  are  the  same  worked  by  the  hands  of  Mrs.  Ronayne,  and  run  up 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  55 

there  on  the  dcay  of  her  OAvn  marriage,  on  the  fourth  of  July.  I  lioistcd 
them  with  my  own  hands  this  morning,  because  I  beUeved  we  were  going 
out  to  the  rescue  of  tliat  dear  hvdy,  and,  iu  my  mind,  I  can  only  say  that  it 
would  bo  much  easier  to  send  out  half  the  force  for  her,  with  a  few 
Indians  for  scouts  to  point  out  where  the  red  devils  are,  and  then,  when  we 
have  got  her  safe,  to  return  here  and  defend  the  place,  or  perish  under  the 
ruins.," 

"  God  bless  her !"  exclaimed  nearly  half  the  men,  turning  their  eyes 
towards  the  rustling  flag,  which  a  slight  and  rising  breeze  now  displayed 
in  all  its  graceful  beauty  of  color  and  proportion,  "  Sure  enough  she 
worked  it,  and  wc  are  ready  to  die  under  the  same,  if  she  only  be  here  to 
see  us," 

"God  bless  her!"  repeated  the  women  in  the  distance.  "If  our  prayers 
could  be  of  any  use,  our  husbands  should  run  all  risk  from  the  Indians,  so 
that  we  might  see  her  sweet  face  again.     Oh,  let  them  go,  captain !" 

Despite  all  the  determination  he  had  formed,  Ronayne  could  not  stand 
this  new  feature  in  the  scene  unmoved.  He  drew  his  handkerchief  hastilj'- 
from  the  bosom  of  his  uniform,  and  carried  it  to  his  eyes.  The  recollection 
of  the  fourth  of  July,  so  recently  passed,  came  with  irresistible  force  upon 
his  memory,  and  even  while  his  own  heart  was  made  more  desolate,  this 
universal  manifesttition  of  the  regard  in  which  his  wife  was  held  affected 
him  deeply. 

"  Nay,  Mr.  Ronayne,  rather  than  exhibit  this  emotion  before  the  men,  had 
you  not  better  retire  ?"  remarked  Captain  Headlev,  in  a  low  tone  ;  "  their 
excitement,  too,  will  the  sooner  subside  when  you  are  gone," 

"  Sir,  if  you  assume  a  weakness  in  me,"  returned  the  officer,  haughtily, 
as  he  removed  the  handkerchief  from  his  eyes,  "  you  are  wrong,  I  came 
here  not  to  advert  tu  the  past,  but  to  do  my  duty.  I  confess  I  am  touched 
by  the  honest  and  noble  feeling  of  my  comrades,  but  nothing  more.  No 
entreaty  of  mine  wall  be  urged  in  support  of  their  prayer,  I  am  prepared 
to  sink  my  individual  loss  in  consideration  of  the  general  danger," 

All  the  men  were  taken  by  surprise.  They  had  wondered  from  the  first 
at  seeuig  Ronayne  come  upon  parade,  with  a  manner  so  different  f)-om  that 
which  he  had  shown  on  the  preceding  evening  ;  but  they  had  taken  it  for 
granted  that  he  knew  of  an  intended  sortie,  and,  relying  on  its  successful 
issue,  was  only  waiting  for  the  order  from  Captain  Headley, 

A  loud  shout  was  now  heard  from  the  common,  and  presently  one  of  the 
two  sentinels  that  had  been  stationed  at  the  gate  walked  quickly  up  with  his 
firelock  at  the  recover,  and  reported  to  Captain  Headley  that  the  Indians 
were  mustering  strongly  about  their  encampment,  and  seemingly  more 
painted  than  usual. 

"  This  is  as  it  should  be."  replied  the  commanding  officer,  "  The  day  of 
council  should  be  a  gala  day,  whatever  the  occasion,  and  doubtless  they  are 
making  preparations  accordingly.  It  is  w^ell,  however,  that  I  have  changed 
the  hour  of  our  consultation  from  twelve  to  eight.  We  have  now  more 
leisure  for  our  own  preparations." 

"  And  these  are,  Captain  Headley,  permit  me  to  ask  ?"  remarked  Mr. 
McKenzio,  who  had  stood  at  some  distance  from  the  parade,  without  inter- 
fering with  the  i)receding  discussion, 

"To  distiibute,  sir,  as  directed,  the  stores  belonf^ing  to  the  Umted  States 


tlicn  (lismairtll;  ilic  fol-t,  hn^  tlqwt  at  bnoc  foi-  FM  WityncJ  '^llc^e  noblo 
itnd  faithful  Pottowatprnks,  whb .  are  how  a^^scmbling  foi-  the.' (Council,  vfill 
beiir  us  br;u-(>ly  tliroiii^h.'*  '  ■.' '  ',  ■,''''■■■  •  ''  ;  :  J.i:. 
'^  One.  or  two  shots  wore  now  l^eal-d  from  the  gntd:^  The  m^ii  were  startled  ; 
^till  more  so  when  they  JicJlrd  'a;lbiad  inockmj^  liiitgh  succeed  to  the 
report.  Several  of  them  turnWl  th(^it-' 'heads  ^nd'  l6oked  around.  They 
saw  thjit  the  fla^,  then  wheejinw;  and  tossing-,  as  if  indignant  at  the  outrage, 
hM'  l;e(?ii'  cat ' m  thd  bullets. ' '  liie'.iiidians'  b^d-  li^er  before    attempted 

"  That;  Sir,  ii  th'fewo.rt  of  yoHiffricridly  Potto \v'ftt6mies,"  remarked  Ronayne, 
Anth  a;  sneer  ;"  their  friendship  is  truly  very  remarkable  at  this  particular 
moment.  They  show  their  regard  for  us  by  insulting  the  American  flag  in 
a  Way  in  which  they  never  did  before^"  ' 

'^  March  off  your  guai-d  iriimedic-ttt^ly,  Mr.  Elmsley ;  let  the  sentries  be 
posted,  and  all  remain  armed  until  further  orders ;  yet  mark,  both  officers 
arid  men,  no  distrust  must  be  Openly  shown.  Do  not  let  it  appear  that  the 
inconsidorate  act  of  one  or  two  young  men  has  raised  your  unfounded  and 
ungenerous  suspicions  6f  a  whole  tribe.  It  is  not  that  I  have  any  doubt  as 
to. their  truth;  but  mv  poHcy  has  ever  been  to  show  them  we  are  never 
yriprejpareld 'fcr'''kh' enifefgefifey.  Corporal  Collins,  you  will  resume  your 
Stripes."  '  •  -  -•-■"  ■^-'^  ^'^  '' 

,    III  obedience  „to  _  his.  order,  the  guard  was  relieved  at  the  gate,  and  the 
whole  of  the  men 'made  to  linger  about  the  parade,  preparatory  to  the 
hioiil-' of  -  coitricilj. '    ■    ' 
.orto 

.■■r[l]dptii;i[4$oorAo  

,'>aifij  I     .-giKyifi 

b'jd'juoi  liul  I  CHAPTER  XIII. 

oM     ..,-,1,11  ■• 

'•'Whil^' Lieutenant  Elmsley  was  occupied  as  acting  adjutant — a  duty 
which  he  was  called  upon  to  perform,  as  well  as  that  of  regimental  subal- 
tei*!!— iionayne  sauntered  mechanically  tow<ards  the  gate.  Notwithstanding 
t'h6  'seeming  indifference  he  had  at  first  manifested  in  regard  to  the  absence 
6f 'his  wife,  there  were  few  among  the  men  who,  whatever  their  surprise 
jit  his  languao-e,  were  not  afterwards  made  sensible  that  he  Avas  profoundly 
aiTected ;  and  as  he  somewhat  sternly  passed  each  soldier  on  his  Avay,  they 
silently  and  with  unusual  deference — a  deference  that  indicated  their  own 
strong  sympathy — touched  their  caps  to  him.  xirrived  at  the  gate,  he 
looked  long  and  anxiously,  almost  incessantly,  even  as  one  without  an 
object,  towards  Hardscrabble,  the  forest  road  to  which  Avas  dotted,  here 
and  there,  with  occasional  openings,  enabling  the  eye  to  distinguish  the 
serpentine  course  of  the  silver  river.  All  around  and  before  him  were  the 
lounging  Indians  to  whom  allusion  has  just  been  made.  There  appeared  to 
be  unusual  excitement  in  their  mannci',  and  gi'oups  of  the  younger  Avarriors 
particularly  Avere  to  be  seen  in  animated  conversation.  He  Avas  about  to 
retire  from  the  gate  and  join  Lieutenant  Elmslej^  Avho  had  now  nearly 
finished  distributing  his  guard,  but  anxious  to  take  one  last  look  of  the 
neighborhood  of  Hardscrabble,  his  eyes  suddenly  fell  upon  the  outline  of  a 
horse  just  emerging  from  a  Avooded  part  of  the  road  upon  the  plain,  and 
partially  concealed  by  the  figure  of  an  Indian  that  stood  at  the  side  of  the 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  57 

horse.  He  looked  again — the  distance  was  too  great  to  enable  him  to 
judge  distinctly,  but  he  felt  convinced  the  rider  was  a  woman.  There  was 
a  telescope  kept  in  the  bastion  near  the  flagstaff,  for  the  use  principally  of 
the  officer  of  the  guai-d.  He  walked  rapidly  to  this,  and  d.Liw  the  instru- 
ment to  its  proper  focus,  but  Avhen  he  looked  in  the  direction  in  which  he 
had  before  gazed  nothing  was  to  be  seen.  Vexed  and  annoyed  beyond  all 
measure,  he  descended  again  rapidly  to  the  gate,  but  with  no  better  suc- 
cess. He  could  not  doubt  that  it  was  his  wife  whom  he  had  seen,  yet 
unfiling  to  breathe  the  knowledge  even  to  himself,  his  heart  was  a  prey  to 
the  most  contradictory  feelings.  In  a  few  moments,  however,  the  horse  he 
had  before  remarked  again  appeared  emerging  from  the  same  point  of  road, 
but  this  time  he  no  longer  carried  a  woman  but  a  warrior,  so  that  all  means 
of  identifying  the  former  were  denied  to  him.  But  still  there  was  evidence 
sufficient.  The  horse  was  evidently  ^Maria's,  though  with  its  tail  twisted 
and  plaited  as  for  disguise  ;  and  as  Ronayne  with  the  glass  brought  fully 
to  bear  upon  him,  saw  the  rider  throw  over  his  shoulders  and  fasten  round 
his  neck,  a  blanket,  and  place  on  his  head  a  colored  calico  turban,  such  as 
was  in  common  use  among  the  Pottowatomies,  he  felt  satisfied  that  it  was 
the  same  youth  who,  in  the  disguise  of  a  Miami,  had  pressed  him  so  closely 
in  the  chase  of  the  preceding  day. 

Strange  to  say,  he  entertained  no  feeling  of  enmity  towards  the  youth, 
even  when  he  turned  aw^ay  with  feelings  of  mingled  bitterness  and  mortifi- 
cation, and  silently  ascended  the  bastion  to  replace  the  glass.  Never  was 
hit  mind  more  unsettled — never  had  he  entertained  so  perfect  a  sentiment 
of  indifference  for  everything  around  him.  It  was  very  well  to  talk  of  pride, 
and  scorn,  and  foi-titude,  but  existence  to  him  had  become  a  dull  weight,  a 
rayless  future,  and  nothing  would  have  pleased  him  better  at  that  moment, 
than  the  sudden  announcement  of  a  British  force  being  at  hand.  In  the 
stirring  excitement  of  action  only  could  he  hope  to  find  distraction,  and  the 
ball  aimed  at  his  heart,  the  s^vord  pointed  to  his  throat,  he  would  have 
scarcely  deemed  it  worth  his  while  to  seek  to  turn  aside.  The  roar  of  artil- 
lery and  of  musquetry  would,  he  felt,  be  music  to  his  ears,  provided  it  shut 
out  from  memory  the  recollection  of  what  had  been.  But  the  idea  of  a  long 
and  monotonous  march  to  Fort  Wayne,  even  provided  it  should  be  effected 
without  interruption,  bringing  with  it  at  each  moment  recollections  of  the 
past  was  a  horror  not  to  be  endured ;  and  he  determined,  by  every  means 
in  his  power,  to  oppose  the  resolution  of  the  commanding  officer  to  the 
uttermost.  He  Avas  already  under  the  ban  of  one  threatened  court-martial, 
and  it  mattered  little  to  him  what  steps  Captain  Headley  might  adopt  in 
regard  to  him  for  the  future. 

He  had  passed  some  moments  in  these  reflections — fitful,  varied,  and 
broken  as  those  of  a  disconnected  dream — when  turning  his  eyes  again 
towards  the  gate  whei'e  the  sentinels  had  been  posted,  he  saw  one  of  them 
bring  his  musket  to  the  charge  as  if  to  prevent  the  ingriiss  of  some  one 
seeking  admittance.  Struck  by  the  circumstance,  Ronayne  hastened  below, 
and  as  he  advanced  he  saw  the  same  sentinel  pick  up  a  piece  of  paper,  the 
superscription  of  which  he  was  endeavoring  to  examine.  Before  he  had 
time  to  do  this,  however,  the  officer  had  come  up,  and  the  sentinel  promptly 
handed  it  to  him. 

"  Good  God  !  what  does  this  mean  ?"    It  was  the  handwriting  of  his  wife. 


58  wau-xax-gee;    or, 

Rona3'iic  looked  forward  upon  tlio  common,  and  saw  at  about  a  hundred 
yards  before  liiin,  and  retiring  i:ij>idlj,  the  horseman  whom  he  had  just 
before  remarked.  Tliere  was  no  aeccssitj  for  asking  any  questions.  The 
whole  thing  explained  itself. 

"  What  can  she  have  to  say  to  me?"  he  mused  to  himself,  as  he  broke 
the  bark  string  with  which  the  note  was  tied  ;  his  competitor  of  yesterday, 
too,  the  bearer!  Hastily  ho  unfolded  it.  It  contained  these  few  words, 
hastily  written  in  pencil  on  a  hnif  tcjrn  from  her  memorandum  book — '•  Go 
not  to  the  council!"  lie  examined  the  paper  closely — he  could  find  no 
more. 

The  feelings  of  Ronayne,  on  reading  these  few  words,  traced  by  his  wife's 
well-remembered  hand,  may  be  comprehended.  All  the  stubbornness  of 
his  indifterence  was  shaken  ;  and  sinking  every  consideration  of  self  he  found 
a  strange,  wild  pleasure  in  the  knowledge  that  she  was  free  from  personal 
restraint,  and  had  power  to  command  the  services  of  those  whom  she  willed 
to  do  her  bidding.  AVliat  the  meaning  of  the  caution  was,  in  regai'd  to  the 
council,  he  could  not  divine,  neither  wherefore  it  had  been  couched  in  such 
laconic  terms  ;  but  it  was  evident  that,  as  the  new  wife  of  Wau-nan-gee,  she 
had  obtained  information  of  some  danger  of  which  they  in  the  garrison  knew 
not,  and  that  the  recollection  of  those  she  had  left  behind  was  not  so  weak- 
ened as  to  prevent  her  from  imparting  to  those  most  interested  what 
she  had  learned. 

Feeling  the  necessity  of  communicating  instantly  ^v^th  Elmsley  on  the 
subject,  yet  scarcely  knowing  how,  without  exposing  Maria,  to  account  4o 
him  for  the  manner  in  which  he  had  received  the  singular  warning,  he  sought 
his  friend,  who  had  now  finally  disposed  of  his  men  at  their  several  posts, 
and  told  him  that,  without  feeling  himself  at  liberty  to  reveal  to  him  the 
medium  through  which  the  suspicion  had  been  awakened  in  his  breast,  he 
had  every  reason  to  believe  that  some  treachery  was  intended  at  the  coun- 
cil called  by  Headley,  and  that  he  had  come  to  consult  with  him  accord- 
ingly. 

With  infinite  good  taste  and  tact,  Elmsley  utterly  abstained  from  making 
the  slightest  allusion  to  Mrs.  Ronayne,  not  only  because  he  had  perceived 
that  her  husband  did  not  seem  to  encourage  any  approach  to  a  subject 
which  gave  him  pain,  but  because  he  felt  that  the  consolation  of  those  words, 
on  an  occasion  of  such  bereavement,  was  rather  a  mockery  than  a  sympathy. 
Without,  therefore,  making  the  slightest  allusion  to  the  past,  he  answered 
gravely — 

"  If  you  have  reason  to  apprehend  this,  Ronayne,  we  can  take  our  pre- 
cautions accordingly.  As  the  whole  object  and  intent  of  the  council  is  to 
seem  to  hold  a  consultation  as  to  the  course  we  ought  to  pursue  in  this  emer- 
gency, whereas  it  is  simply  in  fact  to  enable  Headley,  who  is  becoming 
stubborn  and  pom]30us  as  of  old,  to  tell  the  chiefs  that  he  intends  at  once  to 
distribute  the  public  stores  among  themselves  and  warriors,  and  then  march 
with  little  more  than  the  men  can  carry  on  their  backs  ;  as  this  only,  I 
repeat,  is  his  object  in  holding  a  council  at  all,  I  see  no  great  reason  why 
either  you  or  I,  who  have  already  given  our  opinions  on  the  matter,  should 
attend  it.     We  may  do  the  'etate  some  serA-ice'  by  remaining  within." 

"Would  it  not  be  well,"  returned  tlie  Virginian  thoughtfully,  '-to  give 
Headley  some  hint  of  false  deaUng  on  the  part  of  the  Pottowatomies  ?  nut 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  59 

such  as  to  lead  him  to  beheve  that  any  dh-ect  intelligence  has  been  received 
of  that  fact,  but  simply  that  some  loose  hints  have  been  thrown  out." 

"  My  dear  fellow,"  returned  the  lieutenant,  with  a  faint  smile,  "  do  you 
think  there  is  anything  under  the  sun — scarcely  even  the  tomahawk  in  his 
own  brain — that  could  persUade  Headley  to  mistrust  his  pet  Pottowatomies  ? 
Iso,  not  even  his  long  experience  of  the  treachery  of  the  race— not  all  hid 
knowledge  of  the  fickleness  of  their  character — of  the  facility  with  which 
they  turn  over  iu  a  single  day  from  the  American  to  the  British  flag — would 
convince  him."    ■ 

"  And  yet,"  pursued  Ronayne,  musingly,  "  they  know  nothing  of  the  war. 
"What  could  be  their  motives,  where  their  immediate  interests  will  be  rather 
retarded  than  promoted  by  the  maintenance  of  peaceful  relations  V 

"  How  do  we  know  what  passes  without  the  fort  1  They  may  have  had 
their  runners  and  news  brought  to  them  of  the  war  before  Winnebeg 
returned." 

A  sudden  thought  flashed  across  the  brain  of  lionayne.  Could  tidings 
of  the  event  in  any  way  be  connected  with  the  flight  of  his  wife  ?  and  had 
that,  at  the  instigation  of  Wau-uan-gee,  accelerated  the  moment  of  her 
departure  ?  But  Elmsley  knew  not  what  he  knew,  and  he  offered  no  remark 
on  the  subject. 

"  It  wants  now  an  hour,"  resumed  Lieutenant  Elmsley,  looking  at  his 
watch,  "  to  the  time  nanaed  for  the  council  which  is  to  be  held  on  the  glacis 
immediately  in  front  of  the  southern  bastion,  and,  therefore,  immediately 
under  the  flag.  Join  me  here  then,  Ronayne,  and  I  shall  have  made  the 
necessary  arrangements.  All  the  responsibility  I  take  upon  myself,  my 
friend,  not  only  as  your  senior,  but  as  one  who  is  perfectly  willing  to  take 
the  hou's  share  of  the  anger  that  has  been  showered  so  plentifully  upon  both 
this  day.  Now  I  must  hasten  and  regulate  the  '  imperium  in  innm-io,^  for 
I  am  afraid  that  if,  as  you  say,  we  trust  alone  to  Headley 's  reading  of  Potto- 
watomie  faith,  we  shall  have  rather  a  Flemish  account  of  satisfaction  to 
render  to  ourselves.     Goodbye.     In  half  an  hour — not  later." 

Ronayne,  havmg  nothing  in  the  meantime  to  do,  sauntered  tow^ards  his 
own  apartments.  When  he  entered  his  chamber,  Catharine,  the  fciithful 
servant  of  his  wife,  was  leaning  along  the  foot  of  the  bed,  her  face  buried  in 
the  covering  and  sobbing  violently.  The  depth  of  her  sorrow  was  anguish 
to  him.  He  shuflied  his  feet  along  the  floor  to  make  her  sensible  of  his 
presence.  The  girl  heard  him  ;  she  looked  up — her  face  and  eyes  were  so 
swollen  with  tears  that  she  could  scarcely  see.  She  started  to  her  feet,  and 
raising  her  apron  with  both  hands  to  her  eyes,  left  the  room  sobbing  even 
more  violently  than  before. 

"  Poor  girl — poor  girl !"  murmured  Ronayne,  Avhile  a  tear  forced  itself 
into  his  own  ;  ''  indeed  I  feel  for  your  grief ;  but  it  will  soon  subside  ;  you 
will  soon  be  well,  while  I " 

He  threw  himself,  dressed  as  he  was,  even  without  removing  his  sword, 
upon,  the  bed — he  took  out  Maria's  hasty  note — he  read  the  woi-ds  "  Go  not 
to  the  council"  at  least  fifty  times  over.  There  was  not  the  minutest  par- 
ticle of  each  letter  of  each  word  that  he  did  not  typify  m  his  heart.  Her 
delicate  and  expressive,  yet  faithless  hand  had  traced  the -whole.  It  was 
enough.     It  was  the  last  relic  of  herself. 


60  WAU-NAN-OEE  ;    OR, 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


1  would  liavo  some  conference  with  j'ou  (lint,  concerns  you  nearly. 

^[Hch  Ado  About  Nothinrf. 

WiiDN'  Ron:i3'nc  rejoined  liis  friend,  all  the  preparations  Im  intended 
niakini:;  had  been  oomploted,  and  ^Irs.  Elmsley  havinp;  despatcli(>d  a  servant 
to  say  that  breakfast  was  waiting  for  thcni,  the  latter,  after  having  stationed 
Corj)oral  Collins  at  tlie  gate  to  give  early  notice  of  the  approach  of  the 
Indians,  linked  his  arm  in  that  of  Ronayne,  and  conducted  him  "to  his 
rooras. 

It  was,  of  course,  the  first  time  the  Virginian  had  seen  Mrs.  Elmsley  since 
the  preceding  evening,  w^hen,  with  Mrs.  lleadley,  she  had  been  a  pained 
Avitness  of  the  desolating  grief  she  so  deeply  shared  herself.  The  swollen 
eyelid  and  the  pale  cheek  attested  that  little  sleep  had  visited  her  eyes 
during  the  subsequent  part  of  the  night ;  and  when  she  affectionately  took 
the  proffered  hand  of  Ronayne,  whose  composedness  she  was  greatly  sur- 
prised and  pleased  to  witness,  there  was  a  melancholy  expression  of  sym- 
pathy in  her  glance  that  tiied  all  the  powers  of  self-possession  of  the 
latter. 

How  ditFerent  was  that  breakfast  table  from  what  it  had  been  on  former 
occasions  !  How  often,  both  before  and  after  their  marriage,  had  Ronayne 
and  his  wife  partaken  of  tlie  hospitable  board,  with  hearts  light  as  gratified 
love  could  render  them,  and  exhilarated  by  the  Avitty  Allies  of  the  amiable 
hostess,  who,  full  of  life  and  gaiety  herself,  sought  ever  to  render  her  more 
sedate  friend  as  exuberant  in  spirit  as  herself.  How  graceful  the  manner  in 
which  she  recommended  her  exquisitely-made  coffee,  her  deliciously-dried 
bear  and  venison  hams,  the  luxuriously-flavored  and  slightly-smoked  white 
fish  from  the  Superior  and  the  Sault ;  and  with  what  art  she  allured  the 
appetite  from  one  delicacy  to  another,  until  scarcely  an  article  of  food  at  her 
table  was  left  tmtasted.  And  yet  all  this,  not  in  a  spirit  of  ostentatious  dis- 
]ilay  of  her  own  aptitude  in  these  somewhat  sensual  enjoyments,  but  from  a 
desire,  bv  the  exercise  of  those  little  niceties  of  attention  which  insensibly 
win  upon  the  heart,  to  please,  to  gratify — to  make  sensible  that  she  sought 
to  please  and  to  gratify — those  whom  both  herself  and  her  husband  so 
deeply  regarded. 

The  breakfast  was  now  a  hurried  one.  It  had  not  been  prepared  with  the 
\isual  care.  The  directing  hand  of  the  mistress  seemed  not  to  be  visible — 
it  was  heavy  as  the  hearts  of  those  who  now  partook  of  it,  and  even  the 
never  failing  claret,  of  which  Elmsley  compelled  his  fi-iend  to  swallow  several 
goblets,  had  lost  more  than  half  its  power  to  exhilarate ;  for,  oh  !  there  was 
one  of  that  once  happy  party  gone  for  ever  from  their  sight,  and  the  solemn 
and  restrained  manner  of  each  was  sufficient  evidence  of  the  deep  void  her 
absence  had  created. 

It  was  a  relief  to  all  when  Corporal  Collins  hurriedly  appeared  at  the  door 
and  announced  that  the  greater  portion  of  the  warriors  of  the  Pottowato- 
mies,  with  Winnebeg  at  their  head,  were  now  advancing  towards  the  glacis, 
where  a  large  awning,  open  at  the  sides,  had  been  erected  soon  after  the 
morning's  parade. 


THE    MASSACRE    AT    CHICAGO.  61 

"  Winnebeg  at  their  head,  did  you  say,  CoHins  ?" 

"  Yes,  sir,  Winnebeg,  and  with  him — for  I  know  them  as  well — Wau- 
ban-see,  Bkick  Partridge,  To-pee  nee-be,  Kee-po-tah,  and  that  tall,  scowling 
chief  that  never  looks  friendly,  Pee-to-tum.  They  are  all  in  their  war 
dresses,  and  their  young  men  as  well.'' 

"  I  am  glad,  at  least,  Winnebeg  is  with  them,"  remarked  Elmsley  to  his 
friend.  "  Whatever  may  be  purposed  by  the  others,  neither  he  nor  Black 
Partridge  can  have  any  knowledge  of  it.  Has  Serjeant  Nixon  had  that  three- 
pounder  run  up  into  the  upper  floor  of  the  block-house,  Collins  ?" 

"  Tliey  are  at  work  at  it  now,  sir.  I  expect  it  will  be  all  readj^  by  the 
time  your  honor  gets  there,  Mr.  Elmsley." 

"You  are  on  guard  at  the  gate  ?" 

"  I  have  been  where  you  posted  me,  sir." 

"  Good  !    Is  Captain  Headley  gone  out  yet  ?" 

"  Not  yet,  your  honor.  I  saw  him,  as  I  came  along,  go  towards  Doctor 
Von  Voltenberg's  rooms." 

"  We  had  better  wait  then,  Ronayne,  until  he  goes  forth  to  assemble  the 
council ;  otherwise  he  may  interfere  and  play  the  devil  with  us  all,  by  coun- 
termanding my  arrangements." 

"  And  do  you  really  mean  to  say  that  you  would  permit  him  to  do  so, 
Elmsley  1  I  am  sure  I  would  not ;  for,  if  ever  disobedience  to  orders  could 
be  justified  it  is  on  this  occasion." 

"  I  do  not  exactly  say  that  I  would,  Ronayne  ;  but  it  is  just  as  well  to 
avoid  clashing  if  possible.  I  confess  I  am  no  particular  advocate,  where  the 
thing  can  be  avoided,  of  wilfully  and  deliberately  thwarting  the  authority 
of  a  commanding  officer.  But  once  he  is  out  of  the  fort  I  shall  be  in 
command." 

Another  non-commissioned  officer  entered.  It  was  Weston,  who,  that 
morning,  had  been  promoted  to  the  dignity  of  lance  corporal,  and  the  com- 
manding officer's  immediate  orderly. 

"  Lieutenant  Elmsley,  the  captain  desires  me  to  say  that  he  is  waiting  for 
you  and  Mr.  Ronayne  to  accompany  the  doctor  and  himself  to  the  council." 

"  Then,"  said  the  subaltern  addressed,  "  you  will  give  my  compliments. 
Weston,  to  Captain  Headley,  and  say  to  him  that  both  Mr.  Ronayne  and 
myself  decline  attending  that  council— that  we  do  not  think  it  prudent  to 
leave  the  fort  without  an  officer,  and  that  we  conceive  that  having  given 
our  opinions  on  the  matter  for  which  the  council  is  called,  we  can  be  of  much 
more  service  here  than  there.  Now  mind,  Weston,  you  will  deliver  this 
message  respectfully,  and  in  a  manner  befitting  a  soldier  to  his  superior." 

"  Certainly,  sir,"  replied  the  corporal,  as  he  touched  his,  cap  and 
withdrew. 

"  You  will  have  a  visit  from  himself  next,  Elmsley,"  remarked  his  wife. 
"But  why  refuse  to  attend  the  council?  There  is  no  enemy  near  us,  and 
surely  half  an  hour's  absence  on  the  glacis  cannot  much  endanger  the  safety 
of  the  ganison,  surrounded  as  we  are  by  friendly  Indians." 

"  Margaret,  my  love,''  said  her  husband,  taking  her  hand  affectionately, 
"  we  must  trust  nothing  to  chance.  No  one  can  tell  what  may  not  occur  in 
the  interim  of  our  absence.  Who,  for  instance,  could  have  foretold  yesterday 
morning  that  we  should  be  as  we  are  to-day  1" 

"True,"  said  Ronayne,  as  he  paced  the  room  with  sudden  and  bittei 


62  WAr-XAN-GEE  ;     OR, 

oxcitomoiit ;  "  wlio  ooiiUl  liave  tokl  yosterday  that  wc  should  be  as  Ave  avo 
to-ilav  ?    There  is  nothinj]^  cortain  in  life — no,  nothing — all  is  vanity." 

This  painful  olianii-o  of  feolinp^  and  of  manner,  from  the  self-control  so 
recently  imposed  upon  him-^clf,  had  not  been  without  its  cause.  'Hie  tcn- 
diMncss  of  his  friends  brought  baek  to  his  niomury  the  recollection  of  many 
an  hour  of  happiness  passed  in  tliat  room — when  the  same  manifestations  of 
adl'ction  had  been  exhibited  in  presence  of  the  wife.  But  where  Avas  she 
now — Avhere  was  his  OAvn  share  in  that  happiness  which,  for  the  first  time, 
he  almost  half  envied  in  his  friend  ? 

The  door  Avas  again  opened,  and  in  walked  not  Captain  Ileadley  but  Mr. 
McKenzie  ;  his  brow  Avas  overcast,  and  there  Avas  evidently  deep  care  on  his 
mind ;  but  after  tenderly  embracing  his  daugliter,  he  remarked  to  the  offi- 
cers, "  I  am  glad  you  have  come  to  the  decision  of  not  leaving  the  fort.  I 
met  Ileadley  going  out,  and  he  is  A'ery  angry.  He  has  made  me  promise, 
however,  to  follow  him  in  a  few  moments.  1  should  have  gone  at  (jnce,  but 
I  could  not  resist  the  twcifolJ  temptation  of  pressing  this  dear  gii'l  to  my 
heart,  and  telling  you  both  hoAv  much  I  approve  your  prudence.  For  once 
you  and  Headley  seem  to  have  exchanged  characters." 

"  No  doubt,"  retui'ned  Elmsley,  smiling,  "  that  if  Ave  CA'er  get  to  Fort  Wayne, 
both  llonayne  and  myself  Avill  be  hanged,  drawn,  and  quartered  by  sentence 
of  a  court-martial,  as  a  just  pxmishment  for  our  most  glaring  disobedience  of 
orders  here  ;  but  that  will  not  be  Avorse  than  being  scalped  here  for  obeying 
them  ;  besides,  theie  is  this  advantage  attending  the  first — Ave  shall  have  a 
little  longer  lease  of  life.  But  seriously,  sir,  there ''is  noAV  no  time  to  lose. 
The  moment  you  are  out  of  the  gates,  I  shall  cause  them  to  be  fastened 
'until  the  council  is  OA'er.  I  have  had  cause  for  entertaining  some  little  sus- 
picion of  your  friends  the  Pottowatomies — nay,''  seeing  that  the  trader 
looked  surprised,  "  there  is  no  time  to  enter  into  explanation  now.  Later,  I 
Avill  state  to  you." 

"  I  have  no  doubt  you  have  been  correctly  informed,"  replied  Mr.  McKen- 
zie,  as,  after  throwing  his  arm  around  the  Avaist  of  his  daughter,  he  replaced 
l.is  hat  and  pi-epared  to  dejiai't.  "  Great  as  is  the  confidence  I  have  in  Win- 
uebeg  and  the  majority  of  the  chiefs,  I  confess  there  has  been  a  boldness — 
an  almost  insolence — perceptible  in  the  behavior  of  many  of  the  young  men, 
seemingly  urged  on  by  Pee-to-tura,  that  I  neither  understand  nor  approve ; 
but,  as  A'ou  say,  there  is  no  time  to  lose.      God  bless  you,  IMargaret !" 

When  he  had  passed  the  gates,  to  which  he  had  been  accompanied  by 
his  son-in-law  and  Ronayne,  Serjeant  Nixon,  who,  as  previously  instructed, 
stood  near  for  the  purpose,  fastened  the  bars  and  turned  the  lock.  What 
men  couW  be  spared  for  the  purpose  Avere  divided  betAveen  the  two  subal- 
terns. The  one  took  his  post  in  the  upper  floor  of  the  block-house  nearest 
to  and  overlooking  the  glacis ;  the  other  ascending  the  south  bastion, 
manned  tAvo  of  the  guns — the  burning  matches  of  both  being  conccnled. 

Not  less  than  four  hundred  Avarriors  could  have  followed  their  leaders  to 
this  council.  The  chiefs  had  already  assembled  and  taken  their  places  under 
the  awning,  Avhile  a  little  aboA^e  them  sat  Captain  Ileadley,  the  Doctor,  and 
Mr.  McKenzie,  when  the  great  mass  moved  towards  the  glacis.  All  Avere 
habited  in  half  war  dress,  if  the  term  may  be  permitted,  and  a  formidable 
mimber  separated  from  the  main  body  and  drcAV  near  to  the  gate.  This, 
much  to  their  surprise,  was  in  the  very  act  of  being  closed  as  they  appeared 


THE    MASSACRE    AT    CIUCAGO,  03 • 

before  it.  Much  di8sati^?faction  was  expressed  in  guttuial  sounds  and  excla- 
mations, and  one  young  Indian,  more  daring  than  the  )'est,  struck  Jiis  toma- 
kawk  deeply  into  the  door.  No  notice  was  taken  of  this  at  first;  but 
finding  that  the  Indians  persevered  in  their  clamor  and  demand  for  admit- 
tance, Ronayne,  who  was  in  the  block-house,  ordered  the  thiee-pounder  to 
be  fired  over  their  heado.  This  at  once  had  the  effect  of  dispersing  and 
driving  them  towards  the  glacis,  which  they  now  tumultuously  crowded, 
speaking  loudly  and  angrily  to  the  chiefs,  who  interrujited  at  the  very  open- 
ing of  the  council,  yet  not  more  surprised  than  the  two  officers  Avere  on 
hearing  the  gun,  had  started  to  their  feet  and  turned  their  eyes  towards  the 
fort — the  flashing  light  of  the  torches  being  now  distinctly  visible. 

There  being  no  repetition,  however,  of  the  report.  Captain  Headley,  who 
had  been  questioned  by  the  chiefs  as  to  the  cause,  explained  the  discharge 
by  attributing  it  to  accident,  or  an  intention  on  the  part  of  lieutenant  Elms- 
ley  to  compliment  the  opening  of  the  council.  But  though  he  stated  this, 
he  did  not  himself  believe  that  either  was  the  reason,  for  he  was  well  aware 
that  no  piece  of  ordnance  had  been  in  the  block-house  early  that  morning, 
and  consequently,  that  it  must  have  been  placed  there  from  some  vague  idea 
of  danger  connected  with  his  officers'  refusal  to  attend  the  council.  He  had 
observed,  with  some  anxiety,  the  gathering  of  the  Indians  around  the  gate, 
and  without  being  able  to  understand  its  exact  character,  entertained  a 
vague  impression  that  some  danger  was  impending,  yet  by  a  strange  con- 
tradiction, not  at  all  uncommon,  was  moi-e  than  ever  annoyed  with  Elmsley 
for  manifesting  thus  openly  and  markedly  the  distrust  he  entertained  of 
their  allies. 

In  an  increased  desire  for  conciliation  he  now  resumed  the  council.  The 
chiefs  were  duly  informed,  through  Winnebeg,  that  war  had  been  declared 
between  Great  Britian  and  the  United  States ;  that  the  American  general 
commanding  on  the  frontier  had  sent  orders  to  evacuate  the  fort  imme- 
diately, and  make  the  best  of  their  way  to  Fort  Wayne,  under  the  escort  of 
the  Pottowatomies  then  present :  but  that,  before  the  march  commenced, 
he  (Captain  Headley)  was,  in  order  to  show  the  friendship  of  tliC  United 
States,  to  distribute  among  the  chiefs  and  warriors  in  the  neighborhood  all 
the  property  of  the  government  in  equal  shares — "not  only  all  stores  of 
clothing  and  implements  of  the  chase  shall  be  divided  among  you,"  he  con- 
cluded, "  but  the  provisions  and  ammunition,  which  latter  we  have  in  abun- 
dance.    All  we  ask  in  return  is  safe  escort  to  Fort  Wayne.'' 

No  sooner  was  this  last  announcement  made  when  the  glacis  was  filled 
v/ith  triumphant  yells  from  the  warrioi-s.  The  chiefs  themselves,  with  the 
exception  of  Pee-to-tum,  whose  cry  had  been  the  signal  for  their  clamor, 
preserved  a  dignified  silence.  The  eyes  of  Mr.  McKenzie  and  Winnebeg 
sought  each  other,  and  there  was  a  pained  expression  of  disappointment  in 
both  that  revealed  at  once  the  cause  of  their  concern.  The  former  bit  his 
lip  and  muttered,  as  he  turned  away  from  the  Indian  to  Captain  Headley, 
the  word  "fool." 

"  Sir,  did  you  speak  ?"  asked  the  latter,  half  coloring  as  he  fancied  he 
had  caught  the  word. 

"  I  have  said  and  think,  Captain  Headley,  that  in  this  last  act  of  folly — 
the  promise  of  ammunition  to  the  Indians — you  have  signed  our  death-war- 
rant.    No  one  acquainted  with  Indian  character   can  misunderstand  the 


C4  AYAL-KAN-GEE  ;     OK, 

feeling  which  jiorviides,  not  llie  chiefs  but  the  warriors.  If  anything,'  wore 
■n-antiii<;  to  satisfy  me  it  would  be  found  in  the  yell  of  satisfaction  witli  which 
that  promise  was  received.  They  are  too  drunk  with  hope  even  to  stop  to 
inquire.  Tecumseh's  emissaries  have  been  among  them.  British  influencp 
has  been  at  work  ;  but  we  will  talk  of  this  later.  The  chiefs  seem  surpri^p^ 
at  this  discourse  between  ourselves."  ,     .;.    ,,( 

"  Gubbernor,"  said  Winncbeg,  solemnly,  and  in  his  own  bnjkdn  Ejiglitfji 
phraseology,  "  as  the  head  chief  of  the  Pottowatomies,  I  return  ihuukis  to 
our  Great  Father  for  the  liberal  j)resents  he  has  made  to  our  nation ;  but  J 
think  it  will  be  better  not  to  go  away  or  give  up  the  aniniunition,  because 
we  have  plenty  of  e^■erything  to  defend  the  fort  for  a  long  time.  Give  nxy 
■warriors  blankets  and  cloths,  and  the  squaws  trinkets,  a*id  keep  the  {wj^'der 
safe  here.  We  can  kill  the  cattle  and  make  )>immecan.  If  a  force  Coii^es 
to  attack  you,  we  can  attack  them  from  the  woods  an^  thei  sfliulrjailjs. 
This,  gubbernor,  is  what  I  have  to  say."  "i^.  ■  .1)  ,;n',:i!;ii  f;  ■■  .  .■!  ■;  [ 

"  And  I,"  remarked  Pee-to-tum,  starting  to  his-  feet  arid  with  fierce  ges- 
ticulation, "  insist,  in  the  name  of  the  warriors,  that  the  wishes  of  our  G;reat 
Father  of  the  United  States  be  done,  lie  has  said  we  shall  have. the jI^w- 
der,  and  Ave  will  have  it — and  the  rum,  auui>.iKe(ia35ie'^;'BtiroDg(;ario^,i|tOo. 
Father,  I  have  spoken."  .■-'■<.  ./J-.!-:::   .r;;.  -  ■}:'•::  .'..  ,T',-,ffo 

Another  loud  and  triumphant  yell  from  Ihe  warriors  grouped  around  too 
clearly  evinced  that  there  was  danger  to  be  apprehended  from  those  they 
had  hitherto  looked  upon  as  tlieir  friends.  Captain  Ileadley  felt  ill  at  ease, 
for  he  was  conscious  that  he  had  h'revocably  committed  himself ;  and,  whi^t 
was  more  mortifying  to  his  pride,  he  was  compelled  inwardly  to.adijnib  that 
his  subalterns,  although  at  the' price  of  disobedielioe  of  orders,  had,  in  this 
instance,  evinced  far  more  judgment'^nd  prudence  than  hunself.  .Still  the 
pride  of  superiority — mayhap  of  vanity — was  in  some  measure  deprived  of 
its  humiliation,  as  he  consoled  himself  with  the  reflection  that  their  jirecau- 
tion  must  have  been  the  result  of  an  intimation  of  some  change  of  feeling  on 
the  part  of  the  wariWrs/'W-hei'easihJe  himself  had  been  left -wholly  in  igno- 
rance on  the  subject,  and  led  io  repose  confidently  on  their  good  faith. 
Still  he  shuddered  as  he  thought  of  those  witbin,  at  what  might  liav^bee'n 
the  turbulence  of  the  young  men.  evidently*  encourag-ed  by  the  dark  Pee-tp- 
tura,  had  they  gained  admission  into  the  fort.  . 

Feeling  that  things  had  arrived  at  a  crisis,  and  that  it  Avould  not  be.pra- 
dent  to  provoke  those  in  whose  power  they  now  unquestionably  were,  lie 
rem.^rked  calmly  t6  Winnebeg  that  the  word  of  the  Father  of  the  United 
States  was  pledged,  could  not  be  withdrawn  without  dishonor,  and  that, 
therefore,  his  resolution  was  unchanged  in  i-egard  to  the  distribution  of  the 
jjowder  with  the  other  presents,  which  should  take  place  on  that  very  spot 
'on  the  morrow.  .  , 

''-  Wiunebeg  looked  angrily  r5und  as  the  yell  of  Pee-to-tum  marked  the  til- 
'umph  and  satisfaction  of  the  latter  at  this  renewal  of  the,  promise  of  Daptain 
Headley,  It  was  littered,  not  in  gladness  for  the  gifts,  but  as 'though  it 
'Vo^dd  fexpi'erss'  the  Uhowledge' that  the  dohation  was  compelkd-^pot  to  bo 
avoided.  IMr.  McKenzie  had  difficulty  in  restraining  .the  Bervousne&S',of;h5s 
"annoyance:  '■'■  '•■'  '  ''';''  '^'  '•■'•■  .'r^^h^v;\\  .';.,^,;;V;  J:\'.'i  l.wy.  [_■'■.■  ■  j.J  j  - 
'  ,  "/fhen,  sii-;'^'^M'fiaid,'addt'es^g'*he'cbmmandiiig <ixflaioen^;"i6ince.we areito 
-issist'in  CTlrttitig-^u^-^wh'  ■thrdE(ts,i4t'.'seenis  ito  imeritliat, the;  most:  prudeat 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  63 

coui-se  to  pursue  will  be  to  leave  everything  stcanding  as  it  is,  and  allow  the 
Indians  to  help  themselves,  while  we  march  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  our 
destination." 

"  What !  and  wthout  escort  ?  That,  indeed,  would  be  madness,"  ex- 
claimed Captain  Headley. 

"  It  is  from  the  escort  we  have  most  reason  to  apprehend  danger,"  re- 
turned the  trader.     "  What  say  you,  Winnebeg  ?"' 

"  Winnebeg  say,  suppose  him  Gubbernor  not  stay  fight  him  English — go 
directly.     Leave  him  Ingin  here  divide  him  presents." 

Black  Partridge  and  all  the  other  chiefs,  except  Pee-to-tum,  gave  the 
same  opinion. 

Whether  nettled  at  the  support  given  to  the  proposition  of  Mr.  McKenzie 
by  Winnebeg,  or  more  immediately  influenced  by  his  strict  sense  of  obedi- 
ence to  the  order  he  had  received  from  General  Hull,  or  by  both  motives. 
Captain  Ileadley  firmly  repeated  his  determination  to  distribute  everything, 
as  he  promised,  on  the  following  day.  The  hour  of  twelve  was  named,  and 
the  council  broke  up,  the  younger  Indians  leaping  and  sliouting  with  joy  as 
they  separated  in  small  parties,  some  yet  lingering  about  the  fort  and  glacis, 
but  the  main  body  moving  ofl'  again  to  their  encampment. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

The  remainder  of  the  day  passed  heavily  and  gloomily.  All  felt  there 
was  a  crisis  at  hand,  and  the  insolent  tone  which  the  younger  Indians  had 
assumed,  left  httle  hope  with  any  that  the  escort  of  their  allies  on  the  long 
and  dreary  route  on  which  they  were  about  to  enter  would  bring  with  it 
anything  but  despair  and  disaster. 

Captain  Headley  had  exerted  his  prerogative.  He  had,  as  commandfng 
officer,  decided  upon  his  course  in  opposition  to  the  judgment  even  of  his 
Indian  counsellors  ;  but  he  was  not  happy — he  was  not  satisfied  himself. 
On  re-entering  the  fort,  after  the  council  had  been  broken  up,  he  had  felt  it 
necessary  to  the  maintenance  of  his  own  dignity  to  summon  the  subalterns 
before  him,  and  read,  or  rather  commence  to  read  to  them,  a  lecture  on 
their  disobedience  of  his  command  to  them  to  follow  him  to  the  council ; 
but,  with  strong  evidence  of  contempt  in  then-  manner,  they  had  turned  on 
their  heels  and  walked  away  without  replying,  leaving  him  deeply  mortified 
at  a  want  of  respect  for  him,  which  was  rendered  the  more  bitter  to  his 
pride  by  a  certain  latent  consciousness  that  it  had  not  been  whollj 
unmerited.  On  entering  his  apartment,  he  found  his  noble  wife  preparing 
at  her  leisure  the  private  ai-rangements  for  departure,  and  calm  and  collected 
as  if  no  circumstances  of  moi-e  than  ordinary  interest  were  agitating  the 
general  mind.  He  caught  her  in  his  arms  ;  he  sat  upon  the  sofa,  and  drew 
her  passionately  to  his  heart.  Never  in  the  coui-se  of  twenty  years'  mar- 
riage had  he  more  fondly  loved  her.  There  was  a  luxury  of  endearment  in 
that  embrace  that  renewed  all  the  earlier  and  more  vivid  recollection  of  their 
union,  and  for  many  minutes  they  remained  thus,  each  wishing  it  could  last 
for  ever.     When  this  full  outpouring  of  their  souls  had  subsided,  tlmr 

5 


QG  WAU-NAN-GEE  ;     OR, 

hearts  l)oat  liglitor,  folt  freer,  and  there  was  less  scruple  in  entering  on  tho 
sulijoct  (.)!"  the  immediate  future  that  awaited  them. 

\\  hile  they  thus  sat  conversing  in  a  strain  of  confidence  and  tenderness, 
whioli  the  immediate  trials  to  -which  they  were  about  to  be  exposed  rcndcrect 
more  exquisitely  keen,  Mr.  Mclv(ni/.ie  and  Winnebog  entered  unannounced. 
At  the  sight  of  Captain  lleadley,  hand  in  hand  with  his  wife,  who  sat  upon 
his  knee,  the  former  would  have  retired,  but  Mi-s.  lleadley,  without  at  all 
displacing  herself  or  affecting  a  confusion  she  did  not  feel,  begged  him  to 
remain,  adding  that,  as  she  supposed  Winnebcg  and  himself  had  impor- 
tant business  with  Captain  Headley,  she  would  retire  into  the  adjoining  room. 
She  rose  slowly  and  majestically,  bowed  gracefully  to  the  trader,  and 
took  the  hand  of  the  chief,  who  as  heartily  returned  the  warm  pressure  she 
gave  it. 

"  God  bless  him  squaw  !"  he  said,  feelingly  ;  "  Winnebeg  always  love  him. 
Lay  down  life  for  him." 

•■  Thank  you,  good  Winnebeg,"  returned  Mi-s.  Headley,  warmly,  while  a 
faint  smile  played  upon  her  features ;  "  1  am  sure  you  would  do  that,  but 
let  us  hope  it  will  never  come  to  the  trial." 

"  Ilope  so,"  returned  the  chief,  as  he  shook  his  head  gravely,  and 
followed  with  a  mournful  glance  the  receding  form  of  the  noble-minded 
woman. 

"  Captain  Headley,"  remarked  Mr.  McKenzie  with  severity,  when  the 
door  was  closed  on  her,  "  I  am  come  to  use  strong  knguage  to  you,  but  the 
occasion  justifies  it.  If  you  do  not  rescind  your  promise  of  powder  to  the 
Indians,  the  blood  of  your  wife,  of  ray  daughter — of  every  woman  and 
child — of  every  individual  in  the  garrison,  be  upon  your  head  1  Sir,  you 
will  be  a  murderer,  and  without  the  poor  excuse  of  even  being  compelled 
to  pursue  the  course  you  have.  Was  it  not  enough  to  ])romise  them  the 
public  stores,  without  exciting  their  cupidity  still  further  ?  Did  you  not 
hear  the  insolent  Pee-to-tum  declare  that  not  only  he  would  have  all  the 
ardent  spirit  as  well,  and  not  merely  that,  but  what  was  contained  in  my 
cellar  ?  When  men — and  Indians,  in  particular — use  such  language,  do 
you  think  it  prudent  to  put  the  means  of  our  certain  destruction  in  their 
hands  ?  Do  you  think  it  likely  that,  Avheu  once  they  have  drained  to  repletion 
of  the  maddening  liquor,  they  will  hesitate  as  to  the  manner  of  disposing 
of  the  powder  so  recklessly,  nay,  so  guiltily,  given  to  them  ?  No,  sir  ;  let 
those  articles  be  theii-s,  and  we  are  lost,  irrevocably  lost !  Speak,  Winne- 
beg— you  hear — you  understand  all  I  say — am  I  right  ?" 

''  Yes,  Keuzie  right,"  returned  the  chief;  "  sorry  give  him  powder — young 
warrior  not  obey  Winnebeg — Pee-to-tum  bad  man — make  him  wicked^— no 
give  him  powder,  tiubbernor  !" 

All  the  extent  of  the  indiscretion  of  which  he  had  been  guilty  now,  for 
the  first  time,  occurred  to  Captain  lleadley,  and  he  could  not  but  agree  with 
the  trader,  that  the  results  he  foretold  were  those  the  most  likely  to  follow 
the  distribution. 

"  But  how  am  I  to  act  ?"  he  returned  (his  pride  causing  him  to  reply 
rather  to  Winnebeg  than  to  Mr.  McKenzie)  ;  "  how  can  I  retract  the  promise 
I  have  so  solemnly  made  without  incurring  the  very  danger  you  seem  to 
apprehend  ?  It  will  never  do.  Pee-to-tum  will  then  sow  disunion  between 
>as  and  our  allies,  and  then  where  v/ill  be  our  expected  escort  IJ" 


THE    MASSACRE    AT    CHICAGO.  (S'l 

"  Captain  Headley,  are  you  Avilfuliy  blind  that  you  do  not  perceive  you 
have  lost  all  power,  all  influence  to  command  wheie  most  you  seem  so  much 
to  rely  ?  Why,  sir,  it  is  clear  that  they  are  only  waiting-  for  the  delivery 
of  the  presents  to  throw  off  the  mask.  Better  would  it  have  been  had  you 
allowed  them  to  gut  the  fort  and  choose  for  themselves.  In  their  eagerness 
for  plunder,  they  would  have  lingered  at  least  a  couple  of  days  behind,  thus 
enabhng  you  to  effect  your  march  without  them.  Better  that,  I  say,  than 
the  suicidal  course  you  have  adopted ;  but  far  better  'still  it  were  had  you 
boldly  resolved  to  defend  the  post  to  the  last.  Your  daring  and  your 
determination  would  have  awed  the  Indians.  Your  present  evident  weak- 
ness and  vacillation  but  inspire  contempt." 

"  Mr,  McKenzie,"  said  the  captain,  rising  -with  strong  indignation  in  hk 
manner,  "  this  language  I  may  not,  -will  not  hear  with  impunity." 

"  Nay,"  continued  tlie  trader,  "  you  shall  hear,  for  I  have  a  right  to 
speak.  By  your  conduct,  all  are  imperilled.  For  the  men  it  were  not  so 
bad  ;  but  the  women !  Indeed,  no  language  can  be  too  strong  to  express 
the  dangers  you  have  drawn  around  us  all.  Have  you  no  thought  of  your 
own  noble  wife  ?" 

The  door  opened,  and  Mrs.  Headley  stood  once  more  before  them,  calm 
and  composed,  but  with  a  countenance  shghtly  flushed. 

"Headley — Mr.  McKenzie,  excuse  my  intrusion,  but  I  could  not  avoid 
overhearing  this  unpleasant  argument,  which  can  tend  to  no  benefit  in  out* 
strong  emergency.  Think  me  not  bold  if  I  intrude  in  this  matter,  and,  as  a 
woman  who  has  passed  not  a  few  summers  of  existence  in  these  wilds,  offer  my 
opinion.  With  you,  Mr.  McKenzie,  I  perfectly  agree  that  it  would  be  highly 
imprudent,  in  the  present  changed  state  of  feeling  of  the  Pottowatomies 
generally,  to  supply  them  with  ammunition  which  may  be  used  against  our- 
selves, and,  with  Captain  Headley  on  the  other  hand,  deem  that  it  would  be 
impolitic  to  exasperate  the  young  men  by  denying  that  which  they  now  so 
confidently  expect." 

"  And  how,  dear  Ellen,  would  you  solve  the  difficulty  ?"  asked  her  hus- 
band, smihng. 

Mr.  McKenzie  spoke  not ;  but  his  ej-es  were  bent  upon  her  with  mingled 
surprise,  respect,  and  admiration. 

'■  You  may  keep  the  word  of  promise  to  the  ear,  but  break  it  to  the 
hope,''  she  replied.  "  Did  you  not  say  you  had  appointed  to-morrow  for 
the  delivery  of  the  presents  ?" 

"  I  did.  To-morrow  at  twelve.  Everything  will  then  be  handed  over." 
"  Then,"  resumed  Mrs.  Headley,  "  what  more  simple  than  to  produce, 
among  the  other  parcels,  a  single  cask  of  powder  and  another  of  rum ;  and 
if  asked  why  there  is  not  more,  to  offer  in  excuse  that  you  had  not  known 
your  supply  was  so  low.  No  doubt,  Pee-to-tum  and  those  who,  with  him- 
self, are  discontented,  will  express  disappointment,  even  indignation  ;  but 
that  is  a  very  secondary  consideration,  when  we  consider  the  importance  of 
withholding  the  gift.  One  cask  of  powder  and  one  of  rum  divided  among 
four  hundred  warriors  will  not  amount  to  much  after  aH." 

"  All  very  well,  Ellen ;  but  what  is  to  prevent  them,  if  they  fancy  them- 
selves duped,  from  forcing  the  store  and  discovering  the  deceit  that  has 
been  practised  ?  Then,  indeed,  will  they  have  some  just  ground  for  their 
fury." 

.  0 


68  WAU-NAN-GEE  ;     OR, 

"  I  li;ivo  provide.l  against  that,"  she  replied.  "  I  mean  that  Winnebeg 
shall  call  a  council  of  his  young  men  this  night  at  twelve,  so  as  to  keep 
them  away  from  the  fort  that  they  may  not  know  what  is  going  on ;  then, 
when  all  is  still,  the  whole  of  i\w  men  can  be  employed  in  removing  the 
casks  of  powder  and  liquor,  rolling  them  some  into  the  sallyport,  and 
emptying  their  contents  into  the  well,  which  you  know  is  built  there  as  a 
reservoir  in  the  event  of  a  siege  ;  the  remainder,  conveyed  through  the 
northern  gate,  the  heads  knocked  in,  and  the  contents  thrown  into  the  river. 
If  they  should  search,  they  will  find  nothing." 

"  Good !"  said  Winnebeg,  who  perfectly  understood  the  proposition,  and 
had  listened  to  every  word. 

"  Indeed,  ii^deed,  Mrs,  Headley,"  remarked  the  trader,  *;!  who  will  not 
admit  that  there  is  more  resource  on  an  emergency  in  a  woman's  mind  than 
in  all  our  boasted  wisdom  put  together  ?  A  better  plan  could  not  have 
been  devised.     You  will  adopt  it.  Captain  Ileadley  ?" 

"  Most  certainly,"  he  said,  fervently  grasping  the  hand  of  his  wife. 
"  When  did  my  Ellen  ever  fail  to  better  my  judgment  by  her  sound 
advice  ?" 

"  And  yet,  but  for  our  little  raisimdei-standing,  Captain  Headley — a  mis- 
understanding not  pei-sonal,  but  simply  of  opinion — we  should  never  have 
had  the  advantage  of  her  most  wise  umpiry.  This  is  certainly  an  illustra- 
tion that  good  sometimes  comes  of  evil." 

"  xind  now,  gentlemen,"  said  Mrs.  Headley,  play/ully,  "  that  I  have  con- 
ferred upon  you  the  benefit  of  that  wisdom  you  seem  so  properly  to  appre- 
ciate, I  will  again  leave  you  to  yourselves." 

"  God  bless  him  !"  said  Winnebeg,  as  he  took  the  hand  that  was  again 
proffered  to  him  in  the  most  friendly  manner. 

'*■  My  ammunition  and  liquors  must  be  destroyed  in  the  same  manner," 
said  the  trader,  who  now  rose  to  take  his  leave.  "  Only  three  or  four  of  ray 
voyageui-s  are  at  home  just  now.  You  will  allow  some  of  your  own  men  to 
assist  them,  Captain  Headley." 

"  The  moment  the  public  stores  are  destroyed,  they  shall  all  do  so," 
replied  the  captain  ;  "  the  work  cannot  be  too  speedily  done.  Think  you, 
Winnebeg,  you  can  keep  your  young  men  in  the  encampment  to-night  ?" 

"  Try  him  Gubbernor — call  him  council — speak  him  of  march  to  Fort 
Wayne  ;  spose  young  Ingin  come,  good — spose  him  no  come,  sleep  till  to- 
morrow." 

"  Very  well,  Winnebeg,  you  must  arrange  it  as  best  you  can,  but  contrive 
at  least  to  keep  them  from  prowhng  around  the  fort.  At  midnight,  then, 
Mr.  McKenzie,  we  shall  commence  the  work  of  destruction.  When  you 
have  made  your  own  preparations,  and  wish  to  come  in  for  aid,  follow  the 
subterranean  passage  that  leads  from  the  river  near  your  warehouse  to  the 
sallyport ;  you  will  find  the  men  there  busily  engaged,  and  ready  for  you 
the  moment  they  have  emptied  the  contents  of  our  casks." 

The  commandant  waved  his  hand  in  a  familiar  manner  as  he  concluded, 
and  the  trader  and  the  chief  withdrew. 


THE    MASSACRE    AT    CHICAGO.  60 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
"  But  I  am  constant  as  the  northern  star." — Julius  C'asar. 

The  remainder  of  that  day,  the  12th  of  August,  passed  over  without 
incident,  but  not  without  anxiety;  for  the  Indians,  no  longer  indulging  in 
the  indolence  of  the  wigwam  or  the  activity  of  the  chase,  occupied  them- 
selves with  running,  leaping,  wrestling,  jumping,  throwing  the  rude  stone 
quoit,  and  firing  at  a  target  with  the  bow.  It  might  have  seemed  as  though 
they  sought  to  intimidate,  as  much  by  exuberance  of  spirits  as  by  a  display  of 
numbers,  the  little  garrison,  who,  it  was  clear,  from  the  closing  of  the  gate 
and  the  firing  of  the  gun,  no  longer  regarded  them  with  the  confidence  they 
had  ever  hitherto  manifested.  These  sports  were  evidently  the  prelude  to 
some  ulterior  purpose,  either  immediate  or  not  distantly  remote,  and  the 
energy  with  which  they  wex-e  followed,  attested  the  excitement  with  which 
the  accomplishment  was  looked  for.  It  seemed  as  though  none  would  per- 
mit a  moment  of  repose  to  the  blood  until  the  fond  object  for  which  it  had 
been  excited  should  have  been  attained. 

All  this  was  remarked  from  the  fort ;  but,  notwithstanding  a  vigilant 
lookout  was  kept  up.  Captain  Headley  had  given  orders  that  if  small  parties 
of  the  Indians  should  seek  admission,  it  was  not  to  be  refused  to  them. 
This  made  the  duty  exceedingly  severe,  for  the  men,  being  compelled  to 
work  in  harness  under  a  scorching  sun,  suffered  greatly,  and  none  were  sorry 
when,  at  the  close  of  the  day,  not  only  their  own  task  had  partially  termi- 
nated, but  the  jaded  Indians,  drunk  with  too  much  joy  and  excitement, 
were  seen  wending  lazily  for  the  night  to  their  several  places  of  repose. 

At  about  midnight  Captain  Headley  and  his  officers  stood,  not  together, 
but  on  different  parts  of  the  rampart,  watching  the  encampment  of  the  Pot- 
towatomies.  Most  of  their  fires  had  been  extinguished,  but  towards  the 
centre  where  stood  the  tent  of  Winnebeg,  there  was  a  bright  flickering 
glare,  around  which  forms  of  men  could  be  seen  moving  to  the  measured 
sound  of  the  faintly  audible  and  monotonous  drum. 

"  Now,  then,  gentlemen,  is  the  moment  for  exertion.  Winnebeg  has  evi- 
dently found  it  easier,  in  their  present  humor,  to  get  his  warriors  into  a 
war-dance  than  a  sober  council ;  but  no  matter  in  what  manner,  provided 
their  detention  be  secured.  You  will  now  move  your  men  to  the  stores, 
and,  in  order  not  only  to  prevent  accident,  but  noise,  see  that  all  are  pro- 
vided with  their  moccasins.  Mr.  Elmsley,  you  will  take  command  of  the 
party  conve3"ing  the  ammunition  through  the  sallyport,  and  empty  it  into 
the  well ;  and  you,  Mr.  Ronayne,  will  proceed  through  the  northern  gate, 
roll  the  casks  which  I  have  directed  each  to  be  covered  with  a  blanket  to 
the  edge  of  the  river,  cause  their  heads  to  be  forced  in  noiselessly  with 
chisels,  then  empty  the  contents — powder  as  well  as  rum — into  the  stream. 
No  light  must  be  used  to  betray  your  movements  to  the  Indians,  or  to  incur 
the  risk  of  explosion.  One  lantern  only  hangs  up  in  the  store  out  of  the 
reach  of  all  harm,  and  it  is  transparent  enough  to  enable  you  to  see  what 
you  are  about,  to  distinguish  the  several  casks,  those  containing  the  powder 
and  rum,  from  those  in  which  are  packed  the  bags  of  shot,  flints,  gun- 
screws,  &c.     All  these  latter  you  will  throw  into  the  well,  with  the  spare 


70  wau-nan-gee;  on, 

muskets,  llic  stocks  of  whieli  must  bo  uoiselcssly  broken  up.  This  opera- 
tion will  t;ike  up  some  hours,  gentlemen.  Tiie  nights  are  not  long,  and  it  will 
require  all  the  time  until  dawn  to  com])lete  the  work.  Now,  then,  that  you 
liuve  }our  instructions,  proceed  to  work  vvitli  your  respective  parties.  For 
myself,  I  sliall  suiierinlend  the  whole." 

Without  replying,  the  two  officers  departed  to  execute  the  but  too  agree- 
able duly  assigned  to  them,  while  Voa  Voltcnberg,  who  had  paid  his  pro- 
fessional visits  for  the  night,  was  instructed  to  keep  a  vigilant  lookout  on  the 
common  until  dawn,  in  order  to  detect  any  movement  on  the  part  of  the 
Indians,  singly  or  in  parties,  to  a])proach  the  fort.  Corporal  Green,  whoso 
sight  was  remarkable  for  its  keenness,  was  instructed  to  keep  pacing  the  cir- 
cuit of  the  rampart  during  the  night,  and  to  report  to  the  doctor,  for  whom, 
iu  consideration  of  his  being  a  non-combatant,  a  chaii-  had  been  placed  in  a 
sentry  box  overlooking  the  encampment,  anything  remarkable  that  he  might 
observe. 

Kothing  particular  at  first  occurred  during  the  execution  of  this  important 
duty.  The  casks  were  silently  rolled,  knocked  in,  and  emptied  in  the  well  and 
river.  This  took  up  many  hours ;  but  towards  dawn,  as  Ensign  Ronayne 
was  following  at  some  little  distance  in  the  rear  of  his  men,  ho  thought  he 
observed  a  dark  moving  form  as  of  a  .man  crawhng  upon  his  belly,  and 
endeavoring  to  approach  as  near  as  possible  to  the  spot  where  the  men  were 
at  work.  Impressed  at  once  with  the  assurance  that  it  was  some  one  sent 
by  Pee-to-tum  to  watch  the  actions  of  the  garrison,  he  advanced  boldly  up 
to  him,  being  then  distant  at  least  fifty  feet  from  his  party,  and  near  the 
awning  which  had  been  left  standing  for  the  accommodation  of  the  Indians 
who  were  to  receive  their  presents  the  next  day.  The  prowler,  finding  it 
impossible  to  elude  the  officer  in  the  position  in  which  he  was  then  gliding, 
suddenly  started  to  his  feet,  and  sought  to  escape  detection  in  flight ;  but 
Ronayne,  who  was  a  very  quick  runner,  and  moreover  woie  moccasins  as 
well  as  his  men,  soon  came  up  with  him,  when  the  Indian  rapidly  turned, 
and,  upraising  his  arm,  prepared  to  strike  a  desperate  blow  at  the  chest  of 
the  unarmed  youth.  But  even  while  the  knife  was  balancing,  as  if  to  select 
somevulnerable  part,  another  figure  started  suddenly  from  behind  a  part  of 
the  awning,  close  to  which  they  all  were,  and  grasping  the  arm  of  the 
assailant,  dexterously  wrested  the  weapon  from  his  hand,  and  flung  it  far 
away  from  him  upon  the  glacis. 

All  this  was  the  work  of  a  moment.  The  spy  turned  fiercely  upon  the 
intruder,  and,  saying  something  fiercely  and  authoritatively  to  him  in  Indian, 
•strode  leisurely  away.  Ronayne  could  not  be  mistaken.  The  first  was 
Pee-to-tum,  and  even  if  he  could  not  have  traced  the  graceful  outline  of  the 
well-knit  figure,  the  soft  and  musical  voice  which  repUed  to  the  scorning 
threat  of  the  fierce  chief  sufficiently  denoted  it  to  be  Wau-nan-gee. 

"  Heavens  !  how  is  this  ?  Wau-nan-gee  !"  he  asked,  sternly,  yet  trem- 
bling with  excitement  in  every  hmb,  "  w^hy  came  you  here  ?  Why  have 
you  saved  my  life  ?  Speak !  are  you  not  my  enemy  ?  Where  is  my 
wife  ?" 

All  these  questions  w^ere  asked  with  the  greatest  volubility,  and  in 
a  state  of  mind  so  confused  by  the  host  of  feelings  the  presence  of  the 
young  Indian  inspired,  that  he  scarcely  comprehended  the  latter  as  he 
replied  : — 


f^ 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  71 

"  All !  love  liim  too  much,  Eonayne  wife — love  liim  Ronayne  too — Wau- 
nan-gee  friend,  dear  friend — Wau-nan-gee  die  for  him — Ronayne  wife  in 
Ingin  camp — pale — pale,  very  much!" 

''  Answer  me,"  said  Ronayne,  grasping  him  by  the  shoulder  in  piu-e 
excitement,  "tell  me  truly,  Wau-nan-gee — I  will  not  hurt  you  if  you  do — 
but  tell  me,  on  the  truth  of  an  Indian  warrior,  is  not  my  wife  j'our  witb '! 
did  she  not  go  to  you  ?  does  she  not  love  you  V" 

"  Ugh  V  exclaimed  the  boy,  with  an  expression  of  deep  melancholy  in 
his  manner ;  ''  Wau-nan-gee  love  him  too  much,  but  not  make  him  wife. 
Spose  him  not  Ronayne  wife,  then  Wau-nan-gee  ;  die  happy  spose  him 
Wau-nan-gee  wife.  Feel  him  dere,  my  friend — feel  him  heart — oh  much 
sick  for  Maria — but  Wau-nan-gee  Ronayne  friend  no  hurt  him  wife." 

"  Can  all  this  be  possible  ?"  he  exckiimed,  vehemently  to  himself.  "  Oh, 
what  a  noble,  what  a  generous  being  ;  he  restores  life  and  happiness  to  my 
heart !  But  still  I  am  not  yet  convinced,  the  joy  is  too  great  for  such  light 
testimony.  One  question  more,  W^au-nan-gee  :  why  did  my  wife  leave  this  ? 
Did  you  persuade  her  to  go?" 

"  Yes,  Ronayne,  Wau-nan-gee  tell  him  go.  Shuh  !"  he  continued,  as  if 
enjoining  silence,  and  looking  cautiously  round,  "  no  speak,  Ronayne — Ingin 
very  wicked — kill  him  garrison  by  by — Ronayne  and  Maria — Wau-nan-gee 
friend,  dear  friend — W^au-nan-gee  save  him — Ingin  kill  him — Maria  crj- 
very  much,  promise  no."  Then  drawing  a  handkerchief  from  his  pocket, 
which  the  officer  recognised, 'even  in  the  gloom,  as  that  which  he  had  thrown 
down  at  Hardscrabble,  and  which  w;is  subsequently  waved  from  the  window 
of  the  farm-house,  he  handed  it  to  him. 

"  Now,  then,"  he  exclaimed,  "  is  all  my  doubt  removed,  and  again  am  I 
the  happiest  of  men  in  the  assurance  of  the  continued  love  of  the  adored 
one.  Oh,  W^au-nan-gee,  my  friend,  my  brother !"  He  threw  himself  into 
liis  embrace  ;  he  pressed  him  forcibly  to  his  heart.  "  Oh,  how  true,  how 
just  was  the  feeling  which  caused  me  not  to  hate,  even  when  I  fancied  you 
had  most  injured  me  !  Wau-nan-gee,  you  must  always  be  my  friend  ;  you 
must  be  Maria's  friend  ;  you  must  love  us  both  !" 

"  Yes,"  said  the  Indian,  warmly  and  with  difficulty  maintaining  the  stoi- 
cism of  his  race  ;  "  Wau-nan-gee  happy  to  lay  down  his  life  for  Ronayne 
and  Maria ;  oh !  Ronayne,"  and  he  took  the  hand  of  the  Virginian  and 
placed  it  on  his  chest  which  he  bared,  "  can't  tell  how  much  Wau-nan-gee 
love  him  Maria — want  to  make  him  happy.  Suppose  Ronayne  come  now 
with  W^au-nan-gee — take  him  to  squaw  camp.  Stay  there  till  battle  over. 
Yes,  come,  come  !" 

"  Noble  and  generous  boy  !  how  do  you  Avin  my  very  soul  to  you  !" 
returned  the  officer,  as  he  again  affectionately  embraced  hiin.  "  No,  no,  I 
cannot  do  that,  great  and  severe  as  is  this  sacrifice  of  incUnation.  But  what 
battle  do  you  speak  of  ?" 

"  Letter  tell  him  all,"  said  the  youth.     "  Not  say  Wau-nan-gee  say  so.'' 

"  Wau-nan-gee,"  said  Ronayne,  impressivelj^,  "  no  doubt  there  is  danger. 
We  all  know  it.  Was  it  not  you  who  brought  me  a  line  from  IMaria  this 
morning  ?" 

"  Yes,  my  friend.  Pee-to-tum  say  attack  him  council.  Wau-nan-gee  tell 
him  Maria  write — afraid  to  say  much." 

"  No  doubt,  then,  we  shall  be  attacked  before  many. days  are  over;  but 


72  WAU-NAN-GEE  ;    OR, 

tliank  God,  she  at  least  is  safe.  Wau-nan-qeo,  you  must  take  care  of  her  in 
dio  camp  of  your  woraeu.     When  all  is  safe,  you  will  come  to  me  with  her." 

"  Mr.  llonayne,"  called  a  voice  near  the  ri\or,  "  where  are  you  ?" 

It  was  Captain  Headley. 

"  Good  by,  Waii-nan-ji-ce,''  said  the  officer,  *'  I  must  go.  Give  my  love 
to  Maria,  and  tell  her  I  am  sick  to  see  her,"  and  he  put  his  hand  ov«^r  his 
heart,''  and  that  I  will  join  her  when  all  danger  is  over;  to-morrow  night  I 
shall  have  a  letter  for  her.  You  can  contrive  to  steal  into  the  fort  at  night, 
and  into  my  room  unnoticed,  Wau-nan-gee  ?" 

"  Spose  him  come,"  again  urged  the  Indian,  "  Wau-nan-goe  find  him  lit- 
tle tent  for  Ronayne  and  his  wife  for  two  three  days?  Wau-nan-gee  wait 
upon  him,  bring  him  food.     Maria  say  come — must  come.'* 

"  No,  Wau-nan-gee,  my  dear  friend,  you  know  1  cannot  as  a  warrior  think 
of  myself  alone ;  I  must  do  my  duty ;  but  I  am  called.  Good  by,  my 
noble  boy.  To-morrow  night  at  twelve.  God  bless  you  !  I  leave  my  wife 
wholly  to  your  care." 

"  Wau-nan-gee  die  for  him,"  said  the  youth  energetically,  as,  after  again 
pressing  the  extended  hand  of  the  Virginian,  he  traced  his  way  cautiously 
to  the  encampment. 

"  Mr.  Ronayne,"  repeated  Captain  Ileadley,  "  where  are  you  ?" 

"  Here,  sir ;  I  have  for  a  few  moments  been  absent  from  my  post,  but  I 
thought  I  remarked  an  Indian  skulking  near  to  watch  our  movements,  and 
I  followed  him.  I  was  not  wrong  ;  it  w^as  Pee-to-tum.  When  discovered, 
he  rose  to  his  feet  and  would  have  stabbed  me,  but  Wau-nan-gee  was  near 
and  warded  off  the  blow." 

"  Wau-nan-gee  !  said  you,  Mr.  Ronayne  ?  Did  he  ward  off  the  blow 
aimed  at  your  life  ?'' 

"  He  did,  sir;  why  should  he  not?     We  have  always  been  friends." 

Had  it  not  been  dark,  Captain  Headley  would  have  looked  as  he  felt, 
exceedingly  puzzled  for  a  reply. 

"  To  tell  the  truth,  Mr.  Ronayne,  I  had  not  suspected  this.  I  should 
rather  have  imagined  that  he  was  the  chief  instigator  of  the  young  mm  to 
discontent ;  but  I  am  glad  to  find  it  otherwise." 

For  a  moment  it  flashed  across  the  mind  of  the  Virginian  that  Mrs. 
Headley  had,  from  policy  or  in  confidence,  communicated  all  she  knew  in 
regard  to  IMaria's  evasion  to  her  husband.  The  idea  of  any  man  possessing 
the  slightest  knowledge  of  v/rong  in  his  wife  W'Oiild  have  maddened  him ; 
but  now  that  he  in  some  measure  knew  the  facts,  and  looked  upon  her  in 
all  the  purity  of  her  spotless  nature,  he  was  not  sorry  to  have  an  opportu- 
nity to  remove  the  impression ;  he,  therefore,  answered  calmly,  yet  without 
adverting  to  the  actual  position  of  his  wife. 

"  So  fiir  from  that  being  the  case,  Captain  Headley,  Wau-nan-gee  is  the 
last  person  to  engage  in  an  outrage  of  the  kind.  Doubtless  these  letters, 
of  which  the  youth  has  been  the  bearer,  Avill  explain  much  that  is  now 
a  mystery." 

The  laborious  duty  of  the  night  being  now  ended,  the  gates  were  onco 
more  fastened  ;  and  as  the  officers  passed  the  lamp  which  hung  over  the 
entrance  of  tlie  commandant's  quarters,  Ronayne  glanced  at  the  superscrip- 
tions of  the  two  missives.  The  one  was  Avritten  in  ink,  and  directed  to 
Mrs.  Headley  ;  the  other  in  pencil,  and  addre;=sed  to  himself. 


THE    MASSACRE    AT    CHICAGO.  7a 

Rona}Tie  was  too  impatient  to  know  the  contents  of  the  lettei-s  to  waste 
further  time  in  conversation.  At  the  invitation  of  Captain  Headley,  he 
entered  and  unfolded  the  note,  while  the  commandant  sought  <he  apartment 
of  his  mk. 

Mrs.  Headley  had  thrown  herself  towards  morning  on  li-n-  bed,  but  not 
to  sleep ;  her  mind  was  too  full  of  apprehensions  for  the  fast  coming 
future,  and  for  the  melancholy,  sad  past;  and,  even  at  the  moment  when 
her  husband  entered,  her  thoughts  were  of  the  unfortunate  Mrs.  Ronayne. 

"  From  Maria !  is  it  possible  ?"  she  exclaimed,  as  she  broke  the  seal. 
"  Whence  comes  this  ?  who  brought  it  ?" 

"What  think  you  of  Wau-nan-gee  !"  he  answered,  significantly — "  Wau- 
nan-gee,  who  saved  within  the  hour  her  husband's  life !" 

"  Then,  by  my  soul,  is  she  innocent !"  exclaimed  the  generous  woman, 
rising  up.  "  Almighty  God,  I  thank  thee.  Oh,  how  rashly  have  we 
judged ;  but  let  me  read.  The  document  is  dated  from  this,  the  night 
before  her  departure ;  it  is  the  same,  no  doubt,  she  should  have  inclosed 
before — not  a  word  in  addition.     I  will  read  it  later.     Where  is  Ronayne  ?" 

"  In  the  next  room.  He,  too,  has  received  a  communication,  which  he 
is  now  reading.  You  had  better  go  in  to  him,  while  I  give  some  directions 
to  Elmsley,  which  require  to  be  attended  to  immediately.  I  shall  rejoin 
you  presently." 


CHAPTER  XVn. 

WnE>f  Jlrs.  Headley  entered,  unannounced,  into  the  apartment  where 
the  Virginian  was  sitting,  he  brushed  his  hand  across  his  eyes,  but  now 
they  wept  not  only  the  emotion  of  grief  that  he  betrayed,  but  of  joy,  of 
pride,  of  the  fulness  of  life.  He  rose,  pressed  her  hand  warmly,  and, 
giving  her  Maria's  note  to  read,  took  the  letter  which  she  proffered  in 
return. 

"  Ah !  Ronayne,''  began  the  first,  "  what  language  can  express  my  feel- 
ings— -my  fears — my  agony.  For  the  last  week  I  have  not  seemed  to  live 
a  human  existence.  My  mind  has  been  all  chaos  and  confusion.  I  have 
been  feverish,  excited,  scarcely  conscious  of  my  own  acts,  and  filled  with  a 
strong  dread  of  an  evil  which  I  know  will  come,  must  come,  although  only 
protracted.  And  yet,  with  all  the  horror  of  my  position,  how  mu(3i  more 
bitter  might  have  been  my  self-reproach,  my  remorse,  in  having  neglected, 
in  my  distraction,  to  inclose  the  packet  for  Mrs.  Headley,  which  the  noble- 
hearted,  the  devoted  Wau-nan-gee  now  conveys.  1  thought  I  had  given  it 
to  Sergeant  Nixon,  but  Wau-nan-gee  found  it  in  the  pocket  of  my  saddle 
only  yesterday.  Oh,  but  for  the  arrival  of  Winnebeg  with  the  intelligence  he 
brings,  it  would  now  be  too  late,  and  what,  then,  would  have  been  my  sen- 
sations ?  His  appearance  has  altered  the  plans  of  the  unfriendly  portion 
of  the  Indians,  Avho,  presuming  that  the  troops  will  soon .  leave  the  fort, 
have  determined  to  wait  for  the  division  of  the  stores,  and  attack  you  on 
the  march.  But  still  they  could  not  restain  their  impatience,  and  the  day 
of  the  council  was  fixed.     All  this  I  learned  from  Wau-nan-gee,  who  makes 


74  AVAU-XAN-GEli  ;     OR, 

me  acquaini.La  wUli  everything  tliat  is  going  on,  and  is  both  hated  and  sus- 
pected by  Pee-to-tuin,  who  would  wiUingly  find  him  guilty  of  treachery,  and 
destroy  him  if  he  could.  I  begged  him,  in  my  deep  sorrow,  to  be  the 
bearor  to  you,  even  amid  all  danger  of  detection,  of  a  few  words  of  Avarn- 
iiig  which  I  knew  you  would  sufficiently  understand.  lie  did  go,  while 
dashing  up  seemingly  in  defiance  to  the  gate  ;  and  with  a  joy  you  may 
well  understand,  I  marked  tlie  result.  So  far,  then,  has  the  .step  which  my 
great  love  for  you  induced  mo  to  take,  regardless  of  minor  considerations, 
been  of  vital  service  to  you  all ;  for  good  and  generous  as  Wau-nan-gce  is, 
notliing  short  of  his  deep  and  respectful  attachment  would  have  led  him  to 
reveal  the  secrets  of  his  people,  and  thus  d'Teat  their  cruel  purpose.  But, 
oh  !  when  I  think  that  the  danger  is  only  deferred,  not  removed,  liow  poor 
is  the  consolation  !  Dear  Ronayne,  my  heart  is  sad,  sad,  sad  !  Last  night 
I  dreamed  yuu  were  near,  and  this  morning  I  awoke  to  horror,  to  know 
that,  perhaps,  your  hours  arc  numbered,  while  for  me  there  is  no  hope  of 
death,  which  then  would  be  a  blessing,  except  from  my  own  hand !  Oh, 
sufl'er  me  not  to  pray  in  vain  if  you  would  have  me  live  !  Once  you  evaded 
(oh,  how  cruelly  !)  the  stratagem  which  Avould  have  saved  your  life  and 
honor — which  w^ould  have  made  you  an  uiwilling  prisoner  with  those  who, 
for  my  own  safety,  hold  me  captive. 

"  Alas !  had  I  not  hoped  that  you  would  have  been  compelled  to  share 
my  weary  bondage  until  the  dread  crisis  had  passed,  I  had  never  been  here  ; 
and  now  that  the  great  object  of  my  heart  has  failed,  I  would  return,  and 
share  the  danger  that  surrounds  you.  One  more  embrace  would  give  me 
greater  strength  to  die.  One  more  renewal  of  each  well-remembered  face 
would  make  me  firmer  in  resolve  to  meet  the  coming  danger,  that  danger 
shared  by  all.  But  Wau-nan-gee,  in  all  things  else  docile  as  a  slave,  in  this 
denies  me.  In  his  mother's  tent  I  dwell,  disguised  from  the  wretch  Pee-to- 
tum  in  Indian  garb,  and,  although  she  does  not  seem  to  do  so,  she  watches  my 
motions  closely.  Oh !  then,  since  I  may  not  go  to  you,  come  for  a  brief 
period  to  your  adoring  wife  !  Come  with  the  occasion  back  with  Wau-nan- 
gee.  He  will  conduct  you  to  the  tent  where  now  I  am,  some  little  distance 
from  the  general  encampment,  and  never  visited  but  by  Winncbeg  and  his 
son.  You  will  say  I  am  but  an  indifferent  soldier's  wife  to  give  such  coun- 
sel  to  a  husband.  I  confess  it ;  my  love  for  you  is  greater  than  my  regard 
for  your  glor3^  But  what  glory  do  you  seek  ?  March  with  the  troops  and 
ingloriously  you  perish  ;  for  what  can  avail  defence  against  the  strong  force 
I  know  to  be  fully  bent  upon  your  destruction.  Join  me  here  and  you  are 
saved-T-saved  for  a  long  and  future  covu-se  of  glory  for  -your  country — and, 
oh !  tar  dearer  to  me,  for  a  long  and  future  course  of  wedded  happiness. 
Yet,  oh,  God  !  how  can  my  pencil  trace  this  icy  language,  while  my  heart  is 
desolate — longing — pining  for  your  presence.  Oh,  beloved  Runayne  !  by 
all  the  vows  of  love  you  ever  poured  into  my  willing  ear — by  all  the  fires  of 
passion  you  ever  kindled  in  my  heart,  I  conjure  you  to  come,  for  I  can 
endure  this  suspense,  this  cruel  unceitainty  no  longer.  To-niglit  I  shall 
count  the  long,  long  hours ;  and,  oh  !  if  Wau-nan-gee  return  without  you, 
without  one  ray  of  hope  to  animate  this  breaking  heart,  I  will  not  leave  him 
until  I  have  won  his  promise  to  conduct  me  at  midnight  to  the  secret  en- 
trance through  which  he  has  so  often  gained  admission  into  the  fort ;  or 
faihng  in  my  plea  to  him,  I  will  make  the  attempt  to  fly  myself.     But,  dear 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  75 

Ronayue,  if  you  come  not,  the  measure  of  my  grief  will  be  full  iudeed  io 
overflowing,     I  can  no  longer  endure  this." 

Such  was  the  last  note  of  the  unhappy  and  distracted  ilaria  Ronayne. 
The  document  addressed  to  Mrs.  Headley  was  more  voluminous,  and  written 
of  course  under  the  impression  that  when  read  by  the  latter,  her  own  hus- 
band would  be  secure  from  the  danger  it  detailed.  It  was  in  substance  as 
follows : 

Wau-nan-gee,  v.-ho  had  been  absent  for  nearly  a  month  in  the  immediate 
theatre  of  war  near  Detroit,  and  heard  rumors  of  an  intended  attack  upon 
Chicago,  had  hastened  back  with  great  expedition  to  announce  to  his  friends 
the  approaching  danger;  but  much  to  his  surprise,  he  found  on  his  arrival 
that  the  news  of  that  event  had  been  known  in  the  camp  several  days  pre- 
viously through  the'  agency  of  certain  emissaries  who  used  every  exertion  to 
win  the  Pottowatomies  over  to  Tecumseh  and  the  British  cause.  A  council 
had  been  secretly  held  before  the  return  of  AVinnebeg  with  the  despatch 
from  General  Hull,  and  terms  had  been  offered  and  proposals  made  on  that 
occasion  which  were  variously  received,  according  to  the  humor,  interests, 
and  rapacity  of  the  parties.  By  the  majority  of  the  chiefs,  to  their  honor 
be  it  said,  the  proposal  of  treachery  to  the  Americans  was  sternly  rejected, 
but  there  was  one  of  their  number — Pee-to-tum — not  a  full-blooded  Potto- 
watomie,  but  a  sort  of  mongrel  Chippewa,  adopted  in  the  tribe  for  his  un- 
tamably  fiendish  disposition,  connected  with  certain  other  mere  animal 
qualities,  who  was  loud  in  his  invectives  against  the  Americans  for  their 
asserted  aggressions  on  the  Indian  territory,  and  he,  by  pointing  out  the 
advantages  that  would  accrue  to  themselves  by  an  alliance  with  England, 
won  upon  almost  all  the  young  warriors  to  decide  in  abandoning  the  Ame- 
rican cause  immediately.  Thus,  although  there  was  no  decided  treaty  made, 
there  was  a  tacit  understanding  that  all  possible  advantage  was  to  be  taken 
of  circumstances,  and  whenever  a  favorable  opportunity  presented  itself,  the 
mask  was  to  be  thrown  ofl".  In  vain  Black  Partridge,  Kee-po-tah,  Wauben- 
see,  and  other  Pottowatomie  chiefs  declared  they  washed  their  hands  of  all 
wrong  that  might  be  perpetrated.  The  young  men,  or  the  great  majority 
of  them,  wanted  excitement,  blood,  plunder ;  and  they  sustained  Pee-to-tum 
in  all  that  he  advanced.  Hoping,  however,  that  the  tumult  would  subside 
with  the  absence  of  those  who  first  incited  it,  the  chiefs  did  not  like  to 
alarm  the  commandant  by  a  knowledge  of  what  was  going  on  among  them- 
selves, but  were  contented  with  recommending,  as  has  already  been  seen,  that 
he  should  remain  in  defence  of  his  own  post  rather  than  confide  himself  to 
the  safe  keeping  of  those  on  whom  he  depended  for  an  escort. 

The  night  of  the  arrival  of  Wau-nan-gee  he  gleaned  all  this  information  ; 
and  filled  with  anxiety  for  the  danger  that  threatened  the  wife  of  Ronayne, 
whom  really  he  loved  wuth  a  deep  passion — yet  one  utterly  unfed  by  hope 
or  expectation  of  any  kind  whatever — he  determined  that  night  to  enter  the 
fort  while  her  husband  was  on  guard,  and  acquainting  her  with  her  danger, 
entreat  her  to  allow  him  to  conceal  her  until  all  was  over.  He  succeeded, 
though  not  without  some  risk  of  being  discovered  in  consequence  of  the 
exclamation  of  surprise  and  almost  terror,  w^hich  Mrs.  Ronayne  uttered  on 
his  appearance  so  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  befoi-e  her ;  but  the  humble 
manner  of  the  boy — the  deprecating  yet  earnest  look  he  threw  on  her,  and 
the  lowly  posture"  in  which  he  crouched,  soon  satisfied  her  that  there  was 


^C  •WAIT-NAN-GEE  ;    OU, 

some  important  reason  for  his  appearance  at  that  hour  of  the  night,  wliich 
it  was  essential  she  sliould  learn.  She,  therefore,  took  his  hand  to  reassvire 
him,  and  with  an  attempt  at  lij^litness,  bade  hira  tell  her  what  brought 
him  there  after  so  long  an  absence  at  that  late  hour  of  the  night,  and  wh^n 
he  must  have  known  that  Ronayne  was  on  guard  and  herself  alone  ? 

The  boy  shook  his  head  with  a  solemn,  sad  expression.  "  Come  alone, 
come  I"  he  rej>licd  ;  "  no  spoak  him  Runayne.  Pottowatomie  kill  him 
Wau-nan-gce — oh,  Wau-nan-gee  very  sick !" 

Those  few  brief  sentences,  delivered  in  that  melancholy  and  significant 
manner,  rendered  Mrs,  Ronayne  extremely  nervous.  She  made  him  sit  on 
the  sofa.  She  took  his  hand — she  asked  him  what  he  meant.  With  tears 
smmming  in  his  large,  soft,  languishing  black  eyes,  he  told  her  everything 
relating  to  the  subject — of  his  own  return  for  the  expi-ess  purpose  of  lookiiig 
to  her  safet}' — of  the  secret  council  of  the  Indians — of  the  tierce  determina- 
tion of  Pee-to-tum  and  the  misguided  young  men  whose  cupidity  and  pas- 
sions he  had  so  strongly  awakened.  lie  said  he  came  to  save  her,  to  take 
her  out  of  the  fort  until  all  the  trouble  was  over,  to  conceal  herself  in  a  spot, 
to  Avatch  her,  and  to  protect  her  as  a  brother. 

''  And  Ronayne — your  fiicnd,  my  husband — what  will  you  do  with  him  ?" 
exclaimed  Mrs.  Ronayne,  greatly  excited  and  terrified  by  what  she  had 
heard.  "  Oh,  Wau-nan-gee,  can  you  not  save  us  all  ?  Will  it  not  be  enough 
to  tell  Capt  Headley  what  you  know,  and  thus  put  him  on  his  guard !" 

"  Suppose  him  tell  Captain  Headley,  Ingin  kn^w  it — Ingiu  know  Wau- 
nan-gee  tell  him.     Kill  him  Wau-nan-gee  like  a  dog.     Save  him  Maria !" 

"  And  Avill  you  not  save  Ronayne  '!  If  you  care  for  me,  Wau-nan-gee,  you 
will  save  my  husband." 

"  Spose  him  love  him  very  much  husband  ?"  he  said,  fixing  a  penetrating 
yet  softened  look  on  her. 

"Yes,  Wau-nan-gee,  very  much,"  returned  Mrs.  Ronayne  with  emphasis. 
"  If  you  save  one  you  must  save  the  other." 

Without  pursuing  the  conversation  further,  it  may  suflice  to  remark  that 
Wau-nan-gee  left  not  Mrs.  Ronayne  until  he  had  exacted  her  promise  to 
meet  him  on  the  following  afternoon  in  the  summer-house,  when  he  said  he 
would  be  enabled  to  show  her  a  place  where,  with  her  husband,  she  might 
be  concealed  as  soon  as  it  was  known  on  what  day  the  Indians  ahould  have 
decided  on  their  attack.  This  he  pledged  himself  to  liave  arranged  in  the 
course  of  the  morning,  so  that  by  the  afternoon  she  should  be  enabled  to 
judge  of  the  convenience  it  afforded.  The  trunks  seen  by  Ronayne  at 
Hardscrabble,  were  hastily  packed  by  Mrs.  Ronayne  with  articles  of  clothing 
for  both,  and  conveyed  by  Wau-nan-gee  that  night  through  his  secret  en- 
trance to  the  summer-house,  and  subsequently  removed. 

Not  liking  to  call  attention  to  the  circumstance  of  her  crossing  the  water 
unaccompanied,  and  moreover,  really  desiring  the  presence  of  one  of  her 
own  sex  to  sustain  her  in  the  course  that  had  been  forced  upon  her,  she  had 
requested  Mrs.  Headley  to  bear  her  company.  On  her  entering  the  sum- 
mei--house,  the  trap-door,  which  appeared  to  have  been  made  that  very 
morning,  was  open  ;  but  instead  of  Wau-nan-gee,  she  beheld  standing  near 
its  entrance  another  dark  Indian  Avhom  she  had  too  much  reason  to  fear 
and  dread. 

It  has  already  been  remarked  that  Pec-to-tum  was  not  a  genuine  Potto- 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  <7 

watomie,  but  one  of  that  race  whose  very  name  is  a  synonym  with  trea- 
chery and  falsehood — a  Chippewa.  With  low,  heavy  features ;  a  dark, 
scowling  brow;  coarse,  long,  dark  hair,  shading  the  restless,  ever-moving 
eye  that,  like  that  of  the  serpent,  seemed  to  fascinate  where  most  the  cold 
and  slimy  animal  sought  to  sting  ;  the  broad,  coarse  nose  ;  the  skin  partak- 
ing more  in  the  Chippewa,  of  that  offensive,  rank  odor  peculiar  to  the  Indian, 
than  any  others  of  the  race  ;  with  all  these  loathsome  attributes  of  person, 
yet  with  a  soul  swelling  with  the  most  unbounded  vanity  and  self-sufficiency, 
based  on  ignorance  and  assumption ;  this  man,  although  having  a  wife  and 
children  grown  up,  had  dared  to  cast  the  eye  of  desire  on  Mrs.  Ronayne. 
Long  had  he  watched  her,  not  as  the  gentle,  the  pure,  the  self-sacrihcing 
Wau-nan-gee,  but  as  a  tiger  gloating  for  his  prey.  To  possess  her  had 
been  one  of  his  leading  motives  in  urging  the  alliance  with  the  tribes  in  the 
British  interests — to  hasten  the  moment  she  might  become  a  prisoner  in  his 
hands,  his  chief  aim  in  stirring  up  the  young  warriors  into  a  determination 
of  early  attack. 

Only  two  days  prior  to  the  return  of  Wau-nan-gee  he  had  been  in  the 
fort,  and  passing  near  Mrs.  Ronayne  as  she  was  amusing  herself  at  battle- 
dore with  her  friend,  Mrs.  Elmtley,  remarked  to  a  companion  as  he  bent  his 
eyes  insolently  upon  her  :  "  The  Avhite  chiefs'  wives  are  amusing  themselves. 
They  are  wise.     In  a  few  days  we  shall  have  them  in  our  wigwams.'' 

No  notice  was  taken  of  the  remark  at  the  time.  Mi'S.  Ronayne  had  more 
than  once  noticed  the  eyes  of  the  loathsome  Chippewa  fixed  upon  her  with 
an  expression  she  shuddered  at  but  could  not  define,  and  she  had  attributes 
his  words  on  that  occasion  to  impotent  anger  and  disappointment,  at  th< 
dislike  she  had  conceived  for  him. 

This  was  the  loathsome  being  she  now  met,  and  knowing,  as  she  did 
from  Wau-nan-gee,  all  that  he  meditated  in  regard  to  himself  and  friend,  the 
horror  she  experienced  may  be  conceived.  Rapidly,  and  in  time  to  sup- 
press in  a  great  measure  the  scream  she  attempted  to  give,  the  savage 
placed  one  hand  upon  her  mouth,  and  clasping  her  tightly  round  the  waist, 
bore  her  to  the  opening  through  which  he  made  her  rudely  descend,  still 
keeping  his  hand  upon  her  mouth. 

When  the  feet  of  Mrs.  Ronayne  touched  the  bottom  of  that  seemingly 
living  tomb,  she  was  so  paralysed  by  fear  that  she  had  not  strength  to  sup- 
port herself,  and  but  for  the  arm  of  the  dark  chief  still  clasped  around  her 
waist,  she  must  have  fallen.  The  very  sight  of  her  weakness  inflamed  the 
Chippewa  the  more.  He  removed  her  hat  and  threAV  it  on  the  ground. 
The  vast  volume  of  her  brown  hair  he  unfastened  from  the  comb.  It  fell, 
enveloping  her  figure  to  her  knees.  The  eyes  of  the  brutal  Chippewa 
flashed  fire  in  the  half  darkness  that  prevailed  around.  The  hand  hitherto 
held  upon  her  mouth,  now  fell  upon  and  fiercely  pressed  her  bosom,  and 
his  hideous  hps  sought  hers.  With  a  violent  effort  she  tore  them  from  the 
pollution  of  his  touch,  and  uttering  a  faint  cry  of  despair,  sank  fainting  from 
his  now  loosening  grasp.  What  followed  she  could  not  tell ;  but  when 
some  minutes  afterwards  she  came  to  her  senses,  weak  and  exhausted  from 
excitement,  Wau-nan-gee  was  sitting  at  her  side  chafing  her  palms  with  his 
own,  and  with  the  large  tears  coui-sing  doAvn  his  cheeks. 

At  the  first  sight  of  the  boy  Mrs.  Ronayne  started,  for  she  fancied  that 
she  must  have  been  laboring  under  the  influence  of  a  dream,  and  that  no»* 


78  WAU-NAN-GEE  ;     OR, 

Pee-to-tuui,  but  himself,  had  xised  the  violence  she  ex]ierienoed ;  but  when 
she  recalled  all  that  had  passed,  perceived  her  own  disorder  of  dress,  and 
remarked  the  unfeiirned  affliction  of  the  youth,  she  knew  thnt  it  could  not 
bo  so.  Still  deeply  a^jitated,  she  asked  him  anxiously  where  the  01iij)pewa 
■was,  and  wherefore  he  and  not  Wau-nan-gec  had  been  in  the  summer-house 
as  promised,  when  she  came  in.  With  every  apjiearance  of  profound  sorrow 
and  sincerity,  the  youth  replied  that  he  knew  not  how  Pee-to-tum  had  got 
there — that  ho  himself,  after  leaving  the  trap-door  open  ready  for  the 
descent  of  Mrs.  Ronayne,  had  gone  to  the  further  extremity  of  the  vault  for 
the  purpose  of  removing  a  large  stone  which  blocked  up  a  hole  admitting 
the  fresh  air  fi'om  above  near  the  cottage,  and  that  he  Avas  retui'ning  by  this 
passage,  which  was  narrow  hut  nearly  six  fcft  in  height,  when  he  heard  the 
cry  for  aid,  and  knowing  it  to  be  hers  he  had  ttown  to  her  assistance,  but  that 
the  sound  of  his  approaching  footsto]>s  must  have  alarmed  the  Chippewa 
and  caused  him  to  fly — stopping  motionless,  perhaps,  till  he,  Wau-nan-gce, 
had  passed  him,  and  then  escapins;  by  the  same  outlet.  He  it  must  have 
been  whom  Mrs.  Headley  had  remarked  stealing  across  the  garden  just  before 
she  entered  it  with  Maria. 

Once  reassured  of  the  fidelity  and  truth  of  the  boy,  Mrs.  Ronayne, 
although  painfully,  distractingly  ignorant  of  the  extent  to  which  the  insolence 
of  Pee-to-tum  had  been  carried,  was  too  much  absorbed  in  tlie  consideration 
of  her  husband's  safety  to  lose  sight  of  the  subject  more  immediately  at  her 
heart,  in  mere  personal  regrets  that  now  -were  oS  littlv3  avail.  She  said  to 
AVau-nan-gee  that  the  place  in  which  she  then  was  would  certainly  have 
been  Avell  suited  to  the  purpose  intended  but  for  two  reasons  ;  firstly,  that 
now  having  been  discovered  by  Poe-to-tum,  it  would  no  longer  be  secure ; 
and  secondly,  that  her  husband  would  never  consent  to  abandon  his  com- 
rades to  secure  his  own  safet3^  She  prop'osed,  instead,  that  a  plan  should  bo 
arranged  to  make  them  both  prisoners  while  out  on  the  following  day,  and 
in  such  manner  that  it  should  be  supposed  in  the  garrison  that  the  capture 
had  been  effected  by  hostile  Indians  ;  and  to  tliis  the  youth  joyfully  assented, 
stating  that  a  number  of  his  friends  less  hostile  in  their  intijntions  might  be 
procured  to  aid  him  in  the  matter.  It  was  arranged  that  this  should  be 
done  on  the  following  day,  and  this  at  so  great  a  distance  from  the  encamp- 
ment that  Pee-to-tum  should  know  nothing  of  the  occurrence  till  both  hus- 
band and  wife  were  beyond  his  reach. 

"  It  is  a  strange  and  a  wild  project,"  she  remarked,  "  but  the  crisis  is  des- 
perate, and  anything  to  save  my  husband's  life.  But  now  I  must  go,  dear 
Wau-nan-gee ;  Mrs.  Headley  is  in  the  garden  waiting  for  me." 

"  No,  no  go,"  he  said ;  "  spose  him  Mrs.  Headley  go  home.  Wau-nan- 
gee  take  Maria  home  by  by.  Got  canoe  here.  No  let  him  go  home.  Pee- 
to-tum  wicked — Pee-to-tum  got  Ingin  plenty  yonder,"  and  he  pointed  in  the 
direction  of  the  cottage  ;  "  Pee-to-tum  carry  off  Maria — go  see  where  he  is. 
Shut  him  door  till  Wau-nan-gee  come  back.  Mrs.  Headley  come,  no  see 
him  here  ;  no  tink  him  here." 

He  accordingly  ascended,  fastened  down  the  trap-door  and  departed,  as 
we  have  said,  little  anticipating  to  have  been  seen  by  Mrs.  Headley. 

He  had  not  been  five  minutes  gone  when  she  heard  a  dull,  heavy  sound 
which  satisfied  her  that  the  stone  was  being  rolled  from  the  orifice  spoken 
of  by  Wau-nan-gee.     Feeling  assured  that  Pee-to-tum  had  seen  him  depart, 


THE    MASSACRE    AT    CaiCAGO.  TO 

aud  knowiijg  hor  to  be  there  and  helpless,  was  returning  to  renew  his  odious 
and  brutal  passi^,  she  sought  to  rise  in  order  to  force  up  and  escape  by  the 
trap-door.  This  she  did,  regardless  of  her  disordered  appearance,  and  with- 
out even  thinking  of  hat  or  comb  ;  but  she  had  no  sooner  moved  a  step  for- 
ward when  she  again  fell  down,  as  much  paralysed  by  fear  as  exhausted  by 
weakness.  In  her  helplessness  she  could  only  sob  and  moan  and  vainly 
deplore  tlie  absence  of  her  late  rescuer,  while  all  her  thoughts  and  feelings 
were  of  her  husband.  Tlie  footsteps  advanced  ;  she  grew  at  each  moment 
more  nervous,  more  terrified.  She  had  scarcely  the  power  to  move  herself 
on  the  spot  where  she  half  sat,  half  reclined.  Presently  the  trap-door  was 
lieard  to  move,  soon  it  opened,  and  there  to  her  astonishment,  yet  not  less  to 
her  exceeding  embarrassment,  inasmuch  as  she  could  not,  without  compro- 
mising the  saviour  of  her  honor — the  purposed  sa\iour  of  her  life,  explain  in 
Avhat  manner  she  had  been  placed  in  the  strange  position  in  which  she  had 
been  found,  she  beheld  Mrs.  Headley.  What  followed  is  known  to  the 
reader.  It  v/as  not,  however,  Pee-to-tum  whom  Mrs.  Ronayne  had  heard 
rolling  away  the  stone,  but  Wau-nan-gee  returning  to  set  her  free  for  the 
present,  as  he  had  seen  the  soldiers  at  the  gate  and  knew  that  she  was  safe. 


CHAPTER  XVIIL 

"  This  13  my  glove — by  this  hand  I  will  take  thee  a  box  on  the  ear." — Henry  V. 

The  following  morning  was  as  bright  and  glorious  as  an  August  sun  could 
render  it,  but  its  very  brilliancj-  seemed  a  mockery  to  the  gloom  and  despair 
that  filled  the  hearts  of  the  little  garrison.  Still,  notwithstanding  the  trea- 
chery few  were  ignorant  the  Indians  intended,  there  was  a  bearing  among 
all,  from  the  commanding  officer  down,  that,  while  attesting  determination 
and  confidence  in  themselves,  left  no  ground  for  a  suspicion  that  the  designs 
of  their  treacherous  allies  had  been  revealed. 

The  guard  was  mounted,  as  usual,  and  the  customary  formalities  of  the 
military  service  complied  with,  and  arrangements  were  made,  soon  after  the 
men  had  eaten  their  breakfasts,  for  the  conveyance  of  the  stores  to  the 
glacis. 

At  twelve  o'clock  all  was  ready,  and  the  mass  of  Indian  warriors,  painted 
and  armed,  moved  in  loose  and  disorganized  bodies  across  the  plain,  and 
grouped  around  their  chiefs,  Avho,  seated  on  the  ground,  received  for  the 
young  men  the  presents  which  had  been  set  apart  in  divisions  for  every  ten. 
The  cloths,  blankets,  trinkets,  and  provisions,  were  first  handed  over,  bu, 
when  on  coming  to  the  ammunition  and  hquor  only  one  cask  of  each  was, 
found,  the  indignation  of  the  whole  band,  the  chiefs  excepi<Jd,  was,  as  had 
been  expected,  excessive. 

"My  Father  promised  us  plenV  of  powder  and  plenty  of  hquor,"  ex- 
claimed Pee-to-tum,  stampinij  *vi''^  bis  feet  and  gesticulating  violently ; 
''  Where  is  it  ?" 

"  This  is  all  that  is  left  r-'t^e  stores,"  exclaimed  Capt.  Headley.  "  When 
Ave  reach  Fort  Wayne  y^  ^^^1'  have  more." 

"My  Father  lies,"  r'^'^^^^d  the  Chippewa.     "Pee-to-tum  did  not  sleep 


60  WAU-NAN-CEE  ;     OK,  • 

like  a  lazy  hound  in  his  tent  kst  night ;  he  crawled  near  the  fort;  he  heard 
the  powder  barrels  knocked  in  with  axes  ;  he  heard  the  rum  poured  into  the 
river  Hive  water.  Even  to-dav."  and  he  pointed  with  liis  clenclied  toma- 
hawk, "  the  river  is  red  witli  licjuor  till  it  is  '  strong  grog.'  Wliat  should 
prevent  us  from  avenging  ourselves  for  this  cheat,  by  mixing  the  blood  of 
our  father  with  the  same  water  till  it  looks  like  stron^  rum  also  ?"  A  territic 
yell  burst  from  the  surrounding  warriors,  who  all  brandished  their  toma- 
hawks in  a  menacing  manner. 

"  What  should  prevent  you?"  said  Capt.  Ileadley,  suddenly  carried  out 
of  his  usual  prudence  by  the  insolence  of  the  ruffian — "  what  should  and  will 
prevent  vou !"  and  he  pointed  to  the  bastion,  which  had  been  manned  as  on 
the  former  occ^ision,  while  the  burning  matches  seemed  only  to  await  his 
signal.  "Each  of  those  guns  contains  a  bag  of  fifty  bullets,  and  each  bullet 
can  kill  its  enemy.  Now  then,  have  but  the  courage  to  lay  a  hand  upon  me 
and  you  will  see  the  result.  See,  I  am  alone — only  Mr.  McKenzie  to  wit- 
ness "the  act." 

There  was  a  pause  of  a  few  moments,  during  which  low  murmurs  broke 
from  the  younger  Indians,  and  the  dark  and  subtle  eye  of  Pee- to- turn  quailed 
before  the  bold  look  of  the  commanding  officer,  who  continued  : 

"  As  for  you,  vile  Chippewa,  you  are  the  sole  cause  of  all  these  troubles, 
all  this  excitement  in  the  young  men  of  the  Pottowatomie  Nation.  You  are 
of  that  dark  and  malignant  ra(je,  as  far  below  the  Pottowatomie  in  every  thing 
that  is  noble  and  generous  and  good  as  the  Evik  Spirit  is  below  the  Good 
Spirit.  There  is  nothing  but  falsehood  and  treachery  in  their  selfish  and 
avaricious  nature.  They  are  deceitful,  and  so  given  to  love  rum  that  when 
an  Indian  is  seen  wallowing  like  a  hog  in  the  gutter,  and  with  the  foam  dis- 
gorging from  his  blue  and  lizard-like  lips,  stabbing  right  and  left  indiscrimi- 
nately, as  if  hatred  and  the  sight  of  blood  were  essential  to  his  very  existence, 
you  may  at  once  know  him  to  be  a^Chippew^a.  How  then  can  such  a  man, 
and  of  such  a  race,  disgrace  and  dishonor  the  councils  of  the  war  path  of 
the  nobler  Pottowatomies  ?  How,  I  ask,  can  Black  Pai'ti-idge,  Winnebeg, 
AYaubensee,  To-kee-uee-bee,  and  Kee-po-tah  consent  to  allow  such  a  mongrel 
chief  to  exercise  an  influence  among  their  warriors  hostile  to  the  Americans, 
who  have  ever  treated  them  with  kindness,  even  when  they  themselves  do 
not  seem  to  second  him  in  his  views  ?" 

The  scorn  Captain  Headley  threw  into  his  voice  and  manner  as  he  uttered 
these  words,  which  they  perfectl}^  understood,  was  such  that  Pee-to-tum, 
whose  fingers  played  tremulously  with  the  handle  of  his  tomahawk,  could 
not,  without  ditficulty,  refrain  from  using  it ;  but  when  he  glanced  upwards 
and  saw  Lieutenant  Elmsley  attentively  watching  all  that  passed  with  his 
glass,  his  rage  was  stifled,  but  inwardly  he  vowed  to  be  revenged.  The 
voimg  men  e-^iRced  great  excitement  also ;  and  from  that  moment,  on  this 
occasion  particularly,  it  was  evident  to  Captain  Headley  that  they  were 
entirely  under  the  wfluence  of  t^ie  tvippe-jya. 

"Father,"  said  Black  Partridge,  ris'ujT  and  solemnly  replying  to  the 
appeal  just  made  by  Captain  Headley,  "  ti;^  medcd  I  have  worn  for  many 
years  upon  my  breast.  It  was  given  me  by  iu  Great  Father  of  the  Ame'- 
ricans  as  a  token  of  a  friendship  I  never  have  bi^n  ;  but  since  everything 
tells  me  that  my  young  men,  who  I  grieve  tosawiH  no  longer  obey  the 
voice  of  their  grey-headed  chiefs,  have  determined  <;^  ^^sh  their  hands  iu 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  81 

American  blood,  it  would  not  be  right  in  me  to  keep  this  token  of  peace  any 
longer.  Father,"  he  concluded,  removing  the  ribbon  by  which  it  was  sus- 
pended over  his  chest,  "I  deliver  the  medal  back  to  you,  and  may  you  live 
to  see  and  tell  our  Great  Father  that  Black  Partridge  was  ever  faithful  to 
the  United  States,  and  washes  his  hands  of  all  that  may  now  happen." 

The  same  disclaimer  was  made  by  Winnebeg  and  the  other  friendly 
chiefs  ;  lastly.  Pee- to  turn  rose  : 

"  Dog  !''  he  said,  insolent!},  r.s  he  tore  his  medal  from  his  chest  and  held 
it  up  for  a  moment,  dangling  in  his  hands,  "  tell  hira  you  serve,  if  you  live 
to  see  hira,  that  Pee-to-tum,  the  dark  Chippewa,  is  for  ever  his  enemy — that 
wherever  he  can  do  so  he  will  spill  the  blood  of  the  Yankee,  till  it  runs  like 
the  rura  your  warriors  spilt  last  night;  tell  him  that  Pee-to-tum  spils  upon 
his  face  thus !"  Then,  throwing  it  contemptuously  on  the  ground  and 
stamping  upon  it  with  his  moccasined  feet,  he  burst  forth  into  a  laugh 
intended  to  be  as  insulting  as  the  act  itself. 

This  profanation  was  too  much  for  Captain  Headley.  He  rose  from  .his 
chair,  and  exclaiming  in  his  fury,  "  take  that,  damned  Chippewa,  in  return  !" 
first  spat  in  his  face  and  then  hurled  at  him  his  heavy  military  glove,  which 
happening  to  strike  the  pupil  of  his  eye  while  iu  full  glare  of  indignation  at 
the  first  insult,  it  was  deprived  of  sight  for  ever.   • 

Great  was  the  tumult  that  now  ensued.  Incapable  of  acting  himself  from 
the  intensity  of  agony  he  suffered,  Pee-to-tum  could  only  utter  fierce  bowl- 
ings and  threats  of  vengeance,  but  several  of  the  warriors  advanced  furiously 
upon  the  commanding  officer  with  the  most  startling  yells  and  threatening 
manner.  The  latter,  hopeless  of  escape,  but  determined  to  sell  his  life 
deai'ly,  drew  his  sword  while  he  presented  a  pistol  with  his  other  hand. 

"McKenzie,"  he  said  quickly,  "get  out  of  the  way!  remember  me  to 
Ellen  !''  and  then  elevating  his  voice  to  such  a  pitch  as  he  knew  would  be 
heard  in  the  fort,  he  distinctly  uttered  the  command  "fire!" 

But  the  order  had  been  anticipated.  Even  as  the  word  fell  from  his  lips 
the  curling  smoke  from  a  gun  was  seen,  and  loud  cheers  succeeding  to  the 
report  burst  from  every  man  upon  the  ramparts,  while  a  second  and  smaller 
Anierican  flag  was  waved  triumphantly  by  the  hand  of  Ptonayne  above  the 
piece  which  had  just  been  discharged. 

Astonished  at  this  unexpected  scene,  the  Indians,  who  had  been  greatly 
startled  not  only  at  the  command  which  had  been  so  coolly  given  by  the 
commanding  officer,  but  by  the  discharge  they  had  incorrectly  deemed 
aimed  at  themselves,  suddenly  ceased  their  clamor,  and  following  the  course 
to  which  the  attention  of  those  vfithin  the  garrison  appeaj-ed  to  be  directed, 
beheld,  to  their  surprise,  five-and-tvi^enty  tall  and  well-mounted  horsemen 
dressed  in  the  costume  of  v^arriors,  and  headed  by  a  man  of  great  size, 
]iushing  rapidly  along  the  road  leading  from  Hardsci'abble  for  the  fort. 
The  nearer  they  approached,  the  louder  became  the  shouts  of  the  soldiers, 
until  finally  the  latter  all  left  the  ramparts,  evidently  to  open  the  gates  and 
welcome  the  new-comers,  who  soon  disappeared, througli  the  opening. 

The  arrival  of  these  strangers,  small  as  their  number  was,  had  evidently 
an  effect  upon  the  Pottow;;tomies,  who  for  a  mom,ent  looked  grave,  and 
attempted  no  longer  to  molest  Captain  Ileadley.  Mr,  McKenzie,  who  was 
still  present  and  knew  how  to  take  advantage  of  the  occasion,  profited  by 
the  surprise,  and  suggested  to  the  commanding  officer,  that  as  the  conference 


82  -n-AU-NAN-GKE  ;    OR, 

was  now  ovt^r  and  Uic  presents  all  delivered,  tlicy  should  return  to  the  foil 
to  know  who  tho  new-comers  were.  The  friendly  chiefs  were,  moreover, 
invited  to  accompany  them;  and  thus  they  returned  leisurely,  without  fur- 
ther interruption,  into  the  stockade.  Pee-to-tum,  suffering  severely,  had 
been  led  to  his  tent ;  and  tho  great  bulk  of  the  warriors,  freed  from  the  ex- 
litement  of  his  presence,  busied  themselves  with  collecting  together  their 
individual  shares  of  the  presents  they  had  received.  During  the  Avhule  of 
the  afternoon  they  were  to  be  seen  ^vending  their  way  leisurely,  and  in  small 
and  detached  groups — sometimes  in  single  file — from  the  glacis  to  their  own 
encampment. 

"  Headley,  my  dear  fellow,"  exclaimed  the  leader  of  the  party — a  tall, 
powerful,  sunburnt  man,  dressed  like  his  companions,  who  now  stood  dis- 
mounted, holding  the  bridle  of  his  jaded  horse  and  conversing  with  tho 
Doctor,  for  the  other  ofTicers  were  still  at  their  posts.  "  Is  what  I  hear  then 
true — and  have  I  only  arrived  in  time  to  be  too  late  ?  Is  all  your  ammuni- 
tion then  destroyed — all,  all,  all— none  left  f  These  questions  were  anx- 
iously put  as  the  stranger  held  the  hand  of  the  commanding  officer  grasped 
in  his  own. 

"  It  is  even  so,"  returned  Captain  Headley,  impressed  with  deep  regret 
for  the  act,  for  in  a  moment  he  saw  that  this  addition  to  his  little  force  would 
have  enabled  him  to  maintain  his  post  until  the  arrival  of  the  British  at 
least — "all  that  remains  are  twenty  rounds  of  cartridges  for  the  pouches  of 
the  men,  and  a  single  keg  for  use  if  necessary  on  th5  march — nfit  six  rounds 
of  ammunition  remain  for  the  guns." 

"  By  G — ,  how  unfortunate !"  returned  the  stranger,  striking  his  brow 
with  his  palm  ;  "  had  I  been  but  eighteen  hours  sooner  you  were  all  saved, 
for  here  are  five-and-twenty  as  gallant  and  willing  hearts  as  ever  wielded 
tomahawk  or  rifle.  Hearing  of  your  extremity  I  had  hastily  collected  them 
to  afford  you  succor.  Oh,  I  could  eat  my  heart  up  with  disappointment!" 
he  continued,  "  to  think  that  all  my  exertions,  my  speed,  have  been  in  vain. 
Headley,  what  could  have  induced  you  to  destroy  the  ammunition — your  only 
hope  of  salvation  ?" 

"  What  has  been  done,"  replied  the  commanding  officer,  with  unfeigned 
sorrow  at  his  heart  as  he  reflected  on  the  subject,  "  cannot  be  undone ;  but, 
ray  dear  Wells,  it  was  impossible  that  we  could  divine  the  generous  interest 
which  was  sending  you  to  our  rescue ;  and  had  not  the  powder  and  other 
ammunition  been  destroyed  it  must  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  those  who 
I  grieve  to  say  are  but  too  ready  to  use  it  against  us.  Moreover,  purposing 
as  I  did,  and  do,  to  march  to-morrow  morning,  at  all  lisks  and  under  what- 
ever circumstance,  I  had  given  uj)  this  day  all  provisions  not  necessary  for 
our  subsistence  on  the  march.  If  then  even  the  ammunition  had  remained, 
we  must  have  suffered  from  want  of  food." 

"  What,  with  those  five-and-twenty  horses,  Headley  ?"  returned  the  other, 
pointing  to  the  group  that  stood  in  the  centre  of  the  barrack  square.  "  Not 
so.  They  would  have  been  sufficient  when  killed  and  dried  to  have  yielded 
us  food  for  a  month.  Ko  man  knows  better  how  to  make  pimmecan  than 
myself.  Still,"  he  continued,  with  greater  vivacity,  "  there  is  a  hope.  I 
have  shown  the  manner  in  which  the  provisions  can  be  replaced,  and  I  know 
you  have  a  well  within  the  sally-port  into  which  can  be  received  the  waters 
of  Lake  Michigan — let  search  bo  made  and  instantly^  and  no  doubt  out  of 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  88 

all  that  you  have  thrown  away,  sufficient  serviceable  powder  may  be  found 
to  enable  us  to  defend  the  fort  for  ten  days  longer,  when  something  will 
assui-edly  turn  up  to  better  our  condition." 

"  Would  that  it  could  be  so,"  returned  Captam  Headley,  with  a  solemnity 
rendered  more  profound  from  the  \ery  sraallness  of  the  contingency  on  which 
the  safety  of  so  much  depended,  "  but  there  is  no  hope.  Anticipating  that  the 
Indians  would  attempt  the  very  course  you  now  suggest — that  of  saving 
what  powder  might  be  uninjured  by  the  slimy  bed  into  which  it  was  thrown, 
all  has  been  so  mixed  up  Avith  rum  and  other  liquids  as  to  be  rendered 
utterly  useless.     Everything  seems  to  be  against  us." 

"  Then,  since  all  hope  is  over,"  returned  the  stranger  with  marked  disap- 
pointment, "  we  Avill  not  indulge  in  vain  regrets  for  the  past,  but  make  the 
best  preparation  for  to-morrow.  It  is  only  to  die  in  harness  after  all.  But, 
alas  !  I  pity  the  poor  women.  How  is  my  dear  Ellen — how  does  she  sup- 
port this  severe  affliction  ?" 

"  Bravely — nobly,  like  herself,"  returned  the  commanding  officer  with 
emotion.  "  She  will  be  delighted,  yet  grieved  to  behold  you— delighted  at 
the  generous  devotion  that  has  brought  you  so  far,  and  at  the  head  of  so 
small  a  force  to  our  assistance  ;  grieved  because  she  will  know  that  you  have 
only  come  in  time  to  share  our  fate.  But  dispose  of  your  party  and  come 
in.  Serjeant  Nixon,"  he  called  to  that  official,  whom  he  saw  passing  from 
the  rampart  to  the  guard-house. 

The  non-commissioned  officer  was  soon  at  his  side,  and  the  captain  having 
given  him  directions  to  quarter  the  Indians  for  the  night  in  the  officers'  mess- 
room,  liberally  supplying  them  and  their  horses  with  whatever  they  might 
require,  and  the  stranger  having  himself  addressed  some  remarks  to  his 
people  in  the  Miami  tongue,  they  both  repaired  with  heavy  hearts  to  the 
quarters  of  the  former. 

The  meeting  between  Captain  Wells  and  Mrs.  Headley — the  uncle  and 
niece,  both  of  whom  entertained  a  strong  natural  affection,  founded  as  much 
on  similarity  of  character  as  on  mere  blood  connexion — was  a  very  affecting 
one.  They  had  long  been  separated,  and  year  after  year  a  visit  of  a  few 
weeks  had  been  promised  by  the  former  to  Chicago  ;  but  the  multiplicity  of 
his  public  duties,  for  he  was  an  active  agent  in  the  Indian  Department,  had 
always  prevented  him  from  carrying  his  intention  into  execution.  But  now 
when  he  heard  of  the  danger  to  which  the  garrison  was  exposed,  and  his 
beloved  niece  in  particular,  he  lost  not  a  moment  in  appointing  a  deputy  to 
perform  his  duties  during  his  absence,  and  collecting  five-and-twenty  war- 
riors whom  he  knew  to  be  not  only  devoted  to  him  but  the  most  resolute  of 
the  Miami  race,  he  hurried  off  with  the  object  of  forming  a  sort  of  body- 
guard to  the  ladies  of  the  detachment  which  he  had  been  informed  had 
received  the  instructions  of  General  Hull  to  proceed  forthwith  to  Fort 
Wayne.  Had  he  had  reason  to  doubt  the  faith  of  the  Pottowatomies 
intended  to  form  th^e  escort  of  the  detachment  generally,  he  might  and 
would  have  brought  with  him  a  much  larger  force ;  but  it  was  not  until 
after  he  had  traversed  almost  the  whole  of  the  one  hundred  and  eighty  miles 
which  he  and  his  party  had  ridden  without  rest,  that  he  obtained  informa- 
tion of  the  Indian  disaffection.  Alarmed  lest  he  should  be  too  late,  he  and 
his  party  urged  their  harassed  steeds  to  greater  speed,  and  having  made  a 
signal  to  the  garrison,  which  was  seen  by  Ronayne  through  the  telescope 


6t  wau-nan-oke;    or, 

he  kopt  constantly  to  his  eye,  the  gun  was  fired,  tlic  fl.ig  waved,  and  the 
shouts  pealed  forth  that,  in  all  probability,  in  drowning  his  words  of  com- 
m:'.n.l  saved  the  life  of  his  friend  and  relative. 

"  Well,  Ellen,  ray  love."  proi)Osed  Capt.  Hcadloy,  after  a  good  deal  of 
co!iversation  on  the  subject  of  their  position  had  taken  place,  "as  this  is  to 
be  the  last  of  the  many  days  which,  until  within  a  week,  we  have  passed  so 
happily  in  Chicago,  what  say  you  to  our  all  dining  here  together?  With 
many  of  us  it  will,  doubtless,  be  for  the  last  time.  We  have  still  a  few  bot- 
tles of  claret  left  in  which  to  drink  your  uncle's  health,  mixed  up  only  with 
a  regret  that  his  visit  to  us  had  not  occurred  at  a  happier  period." 

""]Most  willinglv,  lleadley,  P  approve  your  suggestion,  and  shall  cause  the 
dinner  to  be  prepared.  All  I  ask  is  the  assistance  of  Mrs.  Elmsley  and 
Ronayne's  servants.  With  their  aid  my  own  servants  can  even  contrive  to 
manage  something  for  a  dinner." 

'■'  Dwm  viviraus^viuamus  r^  exclaimed  the  herculean  and  resolute  captain. 
"  I  can  see  no  reason  whj',  because  we  are  to  bo  shot  down  and  perhaps 
eaten  to-morrow,  we  should  not  enjoy  the  pleasure  of  a  little  social  eating 
and  drinkino-  ourselves  to-day  ?  I  am  ^ot  one  to  lament  fruitlessly  over  that 
which  cannot  be  avoided.  Sufficient  for  the  day,  as  scripture  has  it,  is  the 
e%Tl  thereof.  I  certainly  go  in  for  the  dinner  and  a  glass  of  claret.  It  will 
help  to  wash  down  half  the  dust  I  have  swallowed  within  the  last  forty- 
eight  houi-3." 

"  Well,  gentlemen,"  said  Mrs.  Headley,  with  a  playfulness  extraordinary 
for  the  occasion,  but  which  was  induced  solely  by  a  design  to  set  the  minds 
of  her  friends  at  ease,  by  impressing  them  with  a  belief  that  her  unconcern 
Avas  greater  than  it  really  was,  "  wliile  I  prepare  the  feast,  go  you  out  into 
what  highways  and  byways  are  left  to  us  and  invite  our  friends.  Uncle, 
you  have  not  seen  Mrs.  Elmsley  since  she  was  a  young,  dashing,  and  vm- 
married  belle.  She  will  be  delighted  to  meet  with  you.  Tell  her  I  will 
take  no  denial — both  herself  and  husband  m\ist  attend.  We  shall  dine  at 
five,  becoming  fashionable  as  we  stand  on  the  brink  of  the  grave ;  and  by 
the  way,  Headley,  all  those  troubles  have  made  me  quite  forget  it,  but  this 
is  the  anniversary  not  only  of  my  birth  but  wedding  day." 

"  God  bless  you  !"  said  her  husband,  tenderly  embracing  her,  "  and  grant 
of  his  great  mercy  that  you  may  see  many  retiu-ns  of  the  day  under  far 
brighter  and  more  auspicious  circumstances  !" 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

It  was  a  curious  sight — one  that  could  only  have  been  witnessed  in  a 
military  community,  used  to  scenes  of  excitement  and  ever  prepared  for 
dann-er — to  see  under  the  roof  of  the  commanding  officer  of  Fort  Dearborn, 
not  only  men  but  dehcate  and  educated  and  highly  accomplished  women, 
partaking,  with  seeming  unconcern,  of  a  meal  which  each  felt  might  be  the 
last  but  one  they  were  fated  to  taste  on  earth,  and  as  it  were  with  the  sword 
of  Damocles  suspended  over  their  heads.  There  was  an  evident  desire  to 
banish  from  the  mind  any  thought  of  the  morrow — to  sustain  each  other, 
yet  with  the  conviction  strong  at  their  hearts  that  none  of  them  would  ever 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  85 

live  to  see  Fort  Wayne.  They,  nevertheless,  talked  seriously  and  depre- 
catingly  of  the  change  they  would  find  between  the  two  quarters — the  one 
just  overtopping  the  wild  flats  of  Ohio,  like  a  solitary  oasis  in  the  desert ; 
the  other,  that  which  they  were  about  to  leave — rich  in  rides  and  drives, 
offering  every  facility  and  amusement  to  the  lover  of  the  gun  and  of  the  rod — 
to  those  whose  taste  led  them  to  prefer  rowing  over  the  comparatively  tiny 
waters  of  the  Chicago,  or  sailing  along  the  broad  expanse  of  the  nobie 
Michigan.  But  they  could  not  wholly  succeed  in  cheating  themselves  intu 
temporary  forgetfulness  of  the  much  that  Avas  to  intervene  before  that  change 
could  be  effected.  Now  and  then  there  would  be  a  painful  pause  in  the 
conversation  ;  and  then  as  each  glanced  into  the  eyes  of  each,  and  could  dis- 
tinctly read  the  dominant  thought  that  was  passing  in  his  mind,  another 
attempt  would  follow  to  give  a  tone  of  indifference  to  the  subject. 

Not  so  with  the  humbler  portion  of  the  garrison.  On  the  contrary,  there 
was  no  attempt  to  conceal  from  each  other,  or  from  themselves,  the  magni- 
tude and  extent  of  the  danger  that  awaited  them  ;  but  in  proportion  as  they 
even  magnified  the  peril,  so  was  their  determination  increased  to  defend 
themselves  and  families  if  attacked,  to  the  last.  The  single  men  talked  in 
groups,  and  hesitated  not  to  condemn  in  strong  language,  the  course  pursued 
by  their  commanding  officer,  for  it  was  obvious  to  all  that  had  he  at  the  first 
decided  on  defending  the  fort,  the  Indians  never  would  have  acted  in  the 
insolent  and  hostile  manner  they  had  manifested  ;  and  even  if  they  had,  the 
provisions  and  ammunition  preserved,  they  might,  Avith  this  newly  arrived 
strength,  have  made  a  defence  of  months  against  their  treachery.  The 
principal  spokesmen  were  Serjeant  Nixon,  Corporals  Green  and  Weston,  and 
Phillips,  Case,  Watson,  and  Degarmo,  who  having  been  the  last  whose  for- 
tune  it  had  been  to  smell  powder  against  the  Indians,  were  considered  as 
being  more  immediately  competent  to  speak  on  the  occasion.  Such  of  the 
married  men  as  were  off  guard  passed  what  hours  they  could  in  consoling 
and  sustaining  the  courage  of  their  poor  wives,  who  wept  bitter  tears  and 
uttered  ceaseless  lamentations,  not  so  much  on  account  of  the  trials  that 
awaited  themselves  as  their  helpless  children,  in  a  distressing  march  through 
the  wilderness,  which  they  regarded  with  nearly  as  great  hori-or  as  the  toma- 
hawk of  the  Indian  itself. 

To  return,  however,  to  the  quarters  of  the  commandant.  It  must  not  be 
assumed  that  because  the  excellent  claret  of  that  officer,  to  which  had  been 
added  a  few  bottles  saved  from  Mr.  McKenzie's  private  stock,  was  enjoyed 
with  a  gusto  not  habitual  to  men  in  the  same  position  with  our  little  band 
of  martyrs,  there  was  the  disposition  to  drown  care  through  that  very 
tempting  medium,  or  to  indulge  in  the  slightest  degree  in  excess  ;  or  if  there 
was  an  exception  it  was  to  be  found  in  Von  Volteuberg,  who  managed  now 
and  then  dexterously  to  top  off  an  extra  glass,  until  by  repeated  little 
manoeuvres  of  this  kind  he  had  in  the  end  been  one  bottle  ahead  of  hir 
companions.  Soon  after  dinner  Ronayne,  whose  spirits  had  been  cheered 
on  the  one  hand  and  depre^^sed  on  the  other  by  the  letter  of  his  wife,  had, 
at  the  suggestion  of  Mrs.  Headley,  read  for  the  satisfaction  and  information 
of  all  the  document  addressed  to  himself;  and  when  this  was  concluded, 
exciting  in  the  minds  of  all,  and  particularly  those  yet  unacquainted  with  the 
contents,  renewed  interest  in  her  fate,  the  ladies  withdrew  to  complete  such 
of  their  arrangements  for  the  march  as  were  still  necessary.    On  their  depart- 


8G  WAU-NAN-GEE  ;     OB, 

Tire  followed  by  the  customary  and,  in  tliis  inslanco,  heart-impelled  honors, 
and  the  health  of  the  newly-arrived  ouest  being  drunk,  as  "  The  Jlero  of  the 
Valley  of  the  Miami,"  Mr.  McKenzie  took  the  occasion  to  remark  : 

"I  have  heard  much  of  the  prowess  evinced  by  Captain  Wells,  both 
aorainst  General  St.  Clair's  army  and  while  acting  with  that  of  General 
Wayne,  and  should  like  much  to  know  from  his  own  lips  whether  report 
speaks  correctly  of  him  or  not.  (,'orae,  captain,  the  opportunity  may  not 
soon  occur  again — will  you  indulge  us  T' 

"Willingly,"  returned  the  captain,  raising  his  tall  and  herculean  frame  in 
his  chair  and  draining  o(f  his  claret ;  "  As  you  say,  the  opportunity  may  not 
again  soon  occur ;  there  is  something  here,"  and  he  pointed  with  his  finger 
to  his  breast,  "  that  tells  me  that  of  the  many  fights  in  which  I  have  been 
engaged,  that  of  to-morrow  will  be  the  last." 

AH  looked  grave,  but  no  one  answered.  Each  seemed  to  think  that  such 
would  be  his  own  individual  case. 

"  Pass  the  wine,  Headley,"  resumed  his  relative.  ''  Gentlemen,  you  must 
not  expect  me  to  enter  into  a  history  of  all  my  old  fights,  both  against  and 
in  defence  of  my  own  country.  That  would  occupy  me  until  to-morrow 
morning  ;  and  you  know  we  have  other  work  cut  out  for  us.  I  will  simply 
give  you  an  outline — a  very  skeleton  of  the  causes  which  found  me  first 
fighting  against  St.  Clair,  and  subsequently  in  the  ranks  of  Wayne." 

Without  encroaching  on  the  patience  of  the  readers  of  this  tale  by  using 
his  precise  words,  it  can  only  be  necessary  here  to#give  an  epitome  of  the 
mihtary  career  of  Captain  William  Wells,  which  was  indeed  one  of  no  ordi- 
nary kind.  He  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  in  early  boyhood — being 
scarcely  ten  years  of  age — had  been  taken  prisoner,  during  a  foray  into  that 
then  wild  state  by  the  Miami  Indians.  Being  a  boy  of  remaikable  symme- 
try, resolution,  and  intelligence,  he  was  greatly  noticed  by  one  of  the  prin- 
cipal chiefs  of  the  tribe,  who  adopted  him  as  a  son,  and  trained  him  to 
battle,  into  which  he  invariably  went  whenever  most  was  to  be  done.  This 
mode  of  life  young  Wells  loved  so  greatly,  and  the  kindness  shown  him  was 
such  that  he  never  entertained  the  slightest  regret  at  the  loss  of  old  associa- 
tions, or  a  desire  to  return  to  them.  At  the  time  of  the  great  battle  between 
the  Indians  and  General  St.  Clair,  he  had  gained  the  reputation  of  being 
one  of  the  most  formidable  warriors,  both  from  his  skill  and  great  personal 
strength  in  the  ranks  of  the  Miamis  ;  and  entertaining  no  scruple  of  con- 
science, simply  because  he  had  not  taken  the  trouble  to  reflect  on  the  sub- 
ject, entered  with  all  the  ardor  of  his  nature  into  that  contest,  and  it  was  said 
that  a  greater  number  of  the  American  soldiers  fell  by  his  hand  than  any 
other  individual  warrior  engaged,  and  now  he  rose  higher  than  ever  in  the 
estimation  of  his  tribe.  But  the  very  circumstance  of  his  prowess  and  suc- 
cess had  the  effect  of  dissociating  him  for  ever  from  those  in  whose  cause 
he  had  triumphed.  x\fter  that  sanguinary  battle,  so  fatal  to  the  American 
arms,  he  for  the  first  time  began  to  reflect  on  the  .great  wrong  he  had  done 
to  his  own  race,  and  resolved  to  atone  for  the  past  by  killing,  in  fair  fight, 
one  Indian  at  least  for  every  American  that  had  fallen  beneath  his  toma- 
hawk and  rifle.  Acting  promptly  on  this  suddenly-formed  resolution  he  at 
once  abandoned  his  adopted  father,  and  his  Indian  wife  and  children,  and 
hastened  to  Gen.  Wayne,  to  whom  he  offered  his  services.  By  that  officer 
he  was  gladly  employed,  principally  as  a  scout,  almost  up  to  the  close  of  the 


THE    MASSACRE    AT    CHICAGO.  8f/ 

war ;  and  during  its  continuance  many  were  the  daring  feats  he  pcrfurmed. 
One  example  must  suffice. 

A  short  time  previous  to  the  great  battle  of  1794,  Wells,  on  whom  General 
Wayne  had  conferred  the  rank  of  captain,  took  with  him  a  subaltern  and 
eleven  men,  for  the  purpose  of  watching  the  movements  of  his  old  com- 
panions in  arms.  His  men  were  ail  well  trained  to  the  peculiar  duty  they 
were  called  upon  to  perform,  and,  after  having  marched  three  days  with  a 
caution  and  knowledge  of  the  forest  scarcely  surpassed  by  the  Indians  them- 
selves, found  that  they  were  on  the  fresh  trail  of  the  enemy,  although  hov,' 
many  in  number  they  could  not  tell.  They  followed  leisurely  until  night. 
when  having  seen  but  one  large  encampment,  Capt.  Wells  came  to  the  de- 
termination, if  the  disparity  of  numbers  should  not  be  too  great,  of  attacking 
them.  Eveiy  disposition  was  made.  The  party  crept  cautiously  near  them 
and  then  lay  down  in  ambush,  while  their  leader,  as  had  been  arranged,  en- 
tered their  camp  fearlessly  and  as  a  friend,  and  sat  himself  down  on  the  right 
of  the  circle,  rapidly  counting  their  numbers  as  he  did  so.  There  were 
found  to  be  twenty-two  warriors  with  one  squaw.  On  being  interrogated 
he  stated  that  he  had  just  come  from  the  British  Fort  Miami,  and  was  on 
his  way  to  stir  up  the  Indians  to  fight  General  W^ayne.  As  he  declared 
himself  very  hungry  the  squaw  hospitably  put  some  hominy  on  the  fire  to 
warm  for  his  supper,  of  which  he  had  intended  to  partake  abundantly  had 
not  a  misapprehension  on  the  part  of  his  men  hastened  the  moment  of  action, 
and  embittered  all  the  satisfaction  he  would  otherwise  have  derived  from  his 
success.  A  motion  of  his  hand  was  to  have  been  a  signal  to  fire,  each 
selecting  his  man ;  and  the  party,  conceiving  that  he  had  given  this,  acted 
prematurely,  not  only  depriving  him  of  his  supper,  which  was  not  yet  ready, 
and  of  which  he  stood  in  great  need,  but  killing  the  unfortunate  squaw  who 
was  standing  up  stirring  it  at  the  time,  and  whom  he  had  intended  to  save. 
The  next  moment  the  formidable  and  dreaded  tomahawk  of  the  captain  went 
to  work  among  the  survivors,  and  out  of  the  twenty-two  warriors  but  three 
escaped ;  he  himself  receiving  a  wound  from  a  ramrod  shot  through  his 
wrist,  and  his  lieutenant  being  hit  by  a  bullet  in  the  thigh.  The  greatest 
havoc  committed  on  this  occasion  was  by  W^ells  himself,  and  it  was  his  boast 
that  in  Wayne's  war  he  had  slain  a  far  greater  number  of  Indians  than  he 
had  killed  Americans  throughout  the  contest  with  St.  Clair;  and  cool  indeed 
must  have  been  the  determination  of  the  man  who  could  composedly  sit 
down  alone  and  in  the  face  of  twenty-two  warriors,  some  of  whom  it  might 
have  been  expected  would  have  recognised  him,  or  to  whom  accident  might 
have  betrayed  the  proximity  of  his  party,  and  resolve  to  dispatch  an  ample 
supper  before  proceeding  to  the  work  of  blood.  But  these  were  the  usages 
of  the  war  in  which  he  had  been  educated,  and  a  nobler  and  more  generous 
heart  than  that  of  Captain  Wells  never  beat  beneath  the  war-paint  of  an 
Indian. 

Such  was  the  man,  the  outline  of  whose  story  we  have  necessarily  con- 
densed, who  now,  at  the  head  of  those  Indians  whom  he  once  fought  for, 
and  subsequently  against,  came  to  proffer  his  aid  to  the  unfortunate  garrison 
of  Fort  Dearborn.  What  such  an  arm  and  such  daring  might  have  accom- 
plished, had  circumstances  combined  to  second  his  efforts,  can  easily  be  sur- 
mised ;  but,  unfortunately,  all  was  now  of  no  avail,  for  the  very  sinews  of 
success  had  been  wrung  from  him,  and  he  felt  that  the  utmost  desperation 


38  WAU-NAN-GKK  ;     OR, 

cf  covurig-0  must  be  insufficient  to  stem  the  tide  of  numbers  tbat  would  lie 
in  wait  for  their  prey  on  the  morrow.  But  although  he  was  not  mad 
enough  to  expect  that  if  attacked  anything-  but  defeat  and  slaughter  could 
ensue,  nothing  -would  have  ple;uscd  him  more  than  an  encounter  on  the  open 
prairie  with  the  false  Pottowatomics,  notwithstanding  theif  great  odds,  had 
not  the  lives  of  women  and  helpless  children  been  at  stake.  These  were  the 
considerations  that  weighed  with  him  the  most ;  for  independently  of  his 
strong  affection  for  his  noble  niece,  and  his  interest  in  her  companions,  he 
had  never  forgotten  the  occasion  when  the  poor  Indian  squaw  was  shot  down 
across  the  fire  over  which  she  was  performing  an  act  of  kindness  to  himself; 
and  often  and  often,  during  his  after  life  of  repose  from  the  toils  of  war,  had 
licr  blood  risen  to  his  imagination  as  if  in  reproach  for  the  act.  If  this  could 
be  called  a  weakness,  it  was  the  only  weak  point  that  could  be  found  in  his 
character. 

As  there  was  little  reason  to  apprehend  that  the  Indians  would  occasion 
any  annoyance  during  the  night  to  those  whom  they  were  so  certain  to  take 
at  an  advantage  in  the  morning,  when  far  removed  from  their  defences, 
Captain  Headley  had  caused  the  garrison  to  be  divided  into  two  watches — 
the  one  being  stationed  on  the  ramparts  until  midnight,  when  they  were 
ordered  to  be  relieved  by  the  second  party,  who  in  the  meantime  slept — thus 
affording  to  all  a  few  hours  of  that  repose  of  which  for  the  last  week  they 
had  scarcely  tasted. 

Midnight  had  arrived.  'The  watches  had  be^  changed,  and  Corporal 
Collins  being  of  the  new  relief,  had,  after  disposing  his  men  in  the  most 
advantageous  manner  to  detect  an  approach,  taken  his  own  station  near  the 
ilag-staff,  a  point  where  the  greater  vigilance  was  necessary,  by  reason  of 
the  storehouses  and  other  outbuildings  of  Mr.  McKenzie ;  under  cover  it  was 
not  difficult  for  a  cautious  enemy  to  approach  the  place  unperceived. 

He  had  not  been  at  this  point  half  an  hour  when  he  fancied  he  could  dis- 
cover in  the  darkness  the  outline  of  a  man  moving  cautiously  across  the 
ground  which  had  been  used  for  the  council,  and  seemingly  endeavoring  to 
gain  the  rear  of  the  factory.  He  challenged  loudly  and  abruptly,  but  there 
was  no  answer.  Expecting  to  see  the  same  l3gure  emerging  from  the  oppo- 
site cover  of  the  building,  he  fixed  his  keen  eye  on  that  spot,  when,  as  he  had 
conjectured,  it  fell  upon  the  same  outline,  but  now  performing  a  wider  circuit. 
The  challenge  was  repeated,  but  the  figure  instead  of  answering  remained 
])erfeetly  stationary.  A  third  time  the  corporal  challenged,  and  no  answer 
being  returned  he  very  indiscreetly  fired,  when  the  figure  fell  to  the  earth 
apparently  shot  dead. 

The  report  at  that  hour  of  the  night  natiu-ally  caused  a  good  deal  of  com- 
jnotion,  and  brought  every  one  to  the  spot — not  only  the  officers  from  their 
rooms  but  the  Avatch  that  had  thrown  themselves,  accoutred  as  they  were, 
upon  their  beds.  Ronayne,  who  had  retired  early  for  the  purpose,  was  at 
the  time  in  the  act  of  completing  a  long  letter  which  he  had  written  in  reply 
to  his  wife,  in  which,  after  pouring  forth  his  soul  in  the  most  impassioned 
expressions  of  devotion,  he  urged  her  in  the  strongest  manner,  and  by  every 
hope  of  future  happiness  on  earth,  not  to  adopt  the  rash  step  she  had 
threatened,  and  paralyse  his  courage,  and  lessen  his  fortitude  to  bear,  by  her 
presence  in  the  midst  of  danger,  but  to  remain  secure  where  she  was,  with 
Wau-nan-gec's  mother,  until  the  crisis  had  passed.     "  I  shall  fight  valiantly 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  by 

and  successfully,''  he  conoluded,  "  if  you  are  not  near  to  distract  me  by  a 
knowledge  of  your  proximity  to  danger.  If,  on  the  contrary,  you,  in  your 
great  and  dear  love,  persist  in  your  design,  I  feel  that  I  shall  j^erish  like  a 
coward.  I  inclose  you  a  part  of  myself,  in  the  meantime — ;i  lock  of  my 
hair." 

On  hearing  the  report  of  the  musket  a  fearful  misgiving  had  oppressed 
him,  for  he  knew  that  this  was  about  the  hour  when  Wau-nan-gee  had 
promised  to  come  for  his  letter,  and  he  hurried  to  ascertain  what  had  occa- 
sioned the  discharge.  The' result  of  his  inquiry  was  not  satisfactory.  Had 
the  whole  Indian  force  been  discovered  stealing  upon  and  surrounding  thein 
for  a  night  attack,  they  would  not  have  carried  half  the  dismay  to  his  soul 
that  he  experienced  when  Corporal  Collins  told  him  that  he  had  lired  at  a 
sohtary  individual  who  was  creeping  up  to  the  fort  and  would  not  answer, 
although  challenged  three  times. 

"  Corporal,"  he  said,  in  a  low  tone,  "  I  have  ever  been  a  staunch  friend  to 
you,  and  by  that  unlucky  shot  you  have  destroyed  me.  The  person  you 
fired  at  was  Wau-nan-gee,  I  feel  assured.  He  was  coming  for  a  letter  from 
me  to  Mrs.  Ronayne  who  is  a  prisoner,  not  with  other  Indians  as  we  had 
supposed,  but  in  the  Pottowatomie  camp.  The  only  way  you  can  repair 
tliis  wrong  is  by  going  out  secretly  through  the  sally-port  and  examining 
the  body  to  see  if  it  really  is  he.'' 

"  Look,  look,  look !"  said  the  corporal,  who  had  kept  his  eye  fixed  on  the 
(lark  shadow  hitherto  motionless  on  the  ground  ;  "  he  is  not  dead — see,  he 
I'ises,  and  walks  rapidly  but  stealthily  in  the  direction  he  was  taking  when  I 
fired." 

"  And  that  is  to  'the  rear  of  the  stockade,  where  he  has  discovered  some 
secret  entrance,  perhaps  in  consequence  of  the  picketing  having  rotted  away 
below.  Not  a  word  of  this,  Collins.  If  it  is  he,  as  I  feel  assured  it  is,  he  will 
go  out  again  soon,  and  you  must  see  that  he  is  not  interfered  with.  He 
must  bear  my  letter  to  my  wife." 

"  You  may  depend  upon  it,  Mr.  Ronayne,  he  shall  not  be  touched.  I  will 
again  keep  that  post  myself." 

The  Virginian  Avas  right.  He  had  not  two  minutes  regained  his  room, 
when  a  slight  tap  at  the  window  announced  his  young  and  faithful  visitor. 
He  flew  to  the  door,  opened  it,  and  taking  the  boy  by  the  hand,  let  him  in. 
He  was  paler  than  usual,  and  the  expression  of  his  countenance  denoted 
emotion  and  anxiety.  As  Ronayne  cast  his  eye  downwards  he  remarked  that 
his  left  hand  was  bound  round  with  a  handkerchief  of  a  light  color,  through 
which  the  blood  was  forcing  its  way. 

"  My  God  I  Wau-nan-gee,  is  it  possible  ?"  he  exclaimed,  as  he  grasped 
him  fervently  by  the  opposite  palm ;  "  were  you  hurt  by  that  shot  fired 
just  now  V" 

The  Indian  nodded  his  head  affirmatively,  as  with  an  air  of  chagrin  and 
disappointment,  he  said,  "  No  good  fire,  Ronajiie — Wau-nan-gee  no  mind 
liim  blood — Ingin  Pee-to-tum  hear  gun  fire — see  Wau-nan-gee  hand — know 
Wau-nan-gee  visit  fort." 

Ronayne,  seeing  that  the  youth  was  mortified  at  the  manner  of  his  recep- 
tion after  the  service  he  had  rendered,  explained  to  him  fully  the  facts  of  the 
case.  He,  however,  told  him  that  he  had  spoken  to  the  man  who  had  fired 
at  him  under  the  idea  of  his  being  a  spy,  and  that  he  might  rely  that  nothing 


90  WAL'-NAN-GKE  ,     OR, 

of  the  sort  would  liappen  on  his  return.  Anxious  to  see  the  extent  of  the 
injury  he  had  received,  he  untied  the  handkorcliief,  wjished  tlie  wound,  and 
found  that  the  bullet  had  cut  away  the  fleshy  part  of  the  palm  just  under 
the  thumb,  but  without  touchinij  the  bone.  A  little  lint  and  diachylon 
phustor  soon  aflbrded  a  temporary  remedy  for  this,  and  the  whole  having 
been  covered  with  a  light  linen  bandage,  he  gave  the  youth  a  half-worn 
])air  of  loose  gauntlets  to  wear  if  he  felt  desirous  to  conceal  the  wound  trom 
the  observation  of  his  fellow  warriors.  Tliis  done,  and  his  letter  to  his  wife 
folded  and  given  to  the  safe  guardianship  of  the  boy,  with  whom  he  made 
his  final  arrangements  for  a  reunion  as  circumstances  might  render  prudent 
and  expedient,  he  finally  drew  him  to  his  heart,  and  expressed  in  tones  that 
could  not  fail  to  carry  conviction  of  their  truth  as  well  as  deep  gratification 
to  the  generous  heart  of  Wau-nan-gee  the  extent  of  liis  gratitude  and 
friendship. 

When  the  young  Indian  had  departed,  not  before  renewing  his  strong 
persuasion  to  induce  the  officer  to  accompany  him  to  his  wife,  Konayne,  de- 
termining that  no  mistake  should  occur  in  the  compliance  of  both  his  direc- 
tions to  Corporal  Collins,  once  more  ascended  to  the  bastion  from  which,  he 
had  soon  the  satisfaction  to  see  Wau-nan-gee  glide^way  in  the  direction  of 
his  encampment,  until  his  figure  was  soon  lost  in  the  distance. 


Mounted  upon  a  hot  and  fiery  steed  which  his  aspiring  rider  seemed  to  know. 

Richard  11. 

As  if  in  mockery  of  the  climax  of  trial  they  were  to  be  made  to  undergo 
before  its  close,  the  15th  of  August,  1812,  dawned  upon  the  inmates  of  Fort 
Dearborn  with  a  brilliancy  even  surpassing  that  of  the  preceding  day. 
Well  do  we,  who  chronicle  these  events,  recollect  it ;  for  while  the  little 
garrison,  in  recording  whose  fate  we  take  not  less  an  interest  than  our  read- 
ers can  in  the  perusal,  were  preparing  to  march  out  of  the  fort — to  abandon 
scenes  and  associations  to  which  long  habit  had  endeared  them,  and  with 
the  almost  certainty  of  meeting  death  at  every  step,  we  stood  at  the  battery 
which  vomited  destruction  into  the  stronghold  of  him  who  had  counselled 
and  commanded  the  advance  upon  Fort  Wayne.  It  has  been  a  vulgar  belief, 
fostered  by  his  enemies,  by  those  who  were  desirous  of  relieving  themselves 
from  the  odium  of  participation,  and  of  rising  to  power  and  considei'ation  by 
the  condemnation  of  their  chief,  that  the  position  of  General  Hull  was  one 
fraught  with  advantage  to  himself  and  of  disadvantage  to  his  enemies. 
Nothing  can  be  more  incorrect.  The  batteries,  to  Avhich  we  have  alluded, 
had  so  completely  attained  the  range  of  the  Fort  of  Detroit,  in  the  small 
area  of  which  were  cooped  up  a  force  of  nearly  twenty-five  hundred  men, 
ihat  every  shot  that  was  fired  told  with  terrible  effect,  and  not  less  than  three 
officers  of  the  small  regular  force  were  killed  or  mutilated  by  one  ball  ])assing 
through  the  very  heart  of  their  private  apartments,  into  which  it  had,  as  if 
searcliingly  and  insidiously,  found  its  way.  To  the  left,  moreover,  was  ano- 
ther floating  battery  of  large  ships  of  war,  preparing  to  vomit  forth  their 
thunder,  and  distract  the  garrison  and  divide  their  fire,  which  could  be  re- 


THE    MASSVCnE    AT    CHICAGO.  -91 

turned  only  from  their  immediate  front  bearing  on  the  river,  that  it  soon 
became  evident  to  the  besiegers  that  their  enemy  had  no  power  to  arrest  or 
effectually  check  the  fury  of  their  attack.  But  not  this  alone.  Thousands 
of  Indians  had  occupied  the  ground  in  the  rear,  and  only  waited  the  advance 
of  the  British  columns,  furnished  also  with  artillery  for  an  assault  in  another 
quarter,  to  rush  with  the  immolating  tomahawk  upon  the  defenceless  inhabit- 
ants of  the  town,  and  complete  a  slaughter  to  which  there  would  hare  been 
no  parallel  in  warfare.  They  could  not  have  been  restrained  ;  their  savage 
appetite  for  blood  must  have  been  appeased,  and  of  this  fact  General  Hull 
had  been  apprised.  Moreover,  five  hundred  of  his  force  who  had  been  de- 
tached under  Colonel  Cass,  were  at  no  great  distance,  and  had  an  effectual 
resistance  been  made  at  Detroit — had  blood  been,  as  they  would  have  con- 
ceived, wantonly  spilt,  the  exasperation  of  the  Indians  would  have  been  such 
that,  in  all  probability,  Colonel  Cass  would  not  at  the  present  day  be  a  can- 
didate for  presidential  honors,  nor  would  any  of  his  force  have  shared  a 
better  fate.  All  these  things  we  state  impartially  and  without  fear  of  con- 
tradiction, because  they  occurred  under  our  own  eyes,  and  because  we  be- 
lieve that  the  people  of  the  United  States  do  not  understand  the  true  diffi- 
culties by  which  General  Hull  was  beset.  It  may  be  very  well,  and  is 
correct  enough  in  the  abstract,  to  say  that  an  officer  commanding  a  post, 
armed  and  garrisoned  as  Detroit  was,  ought  to  have  annihilated  their  assail- 
ants, but  where,  in  the  return  of  prisoners,  is  mention  made  of  artillerymen 
sufficient  to  serve  even  half  the  guns  by  which  the  fortress  was  defended  ? 
The  Fourth  Regiment  of  the  line  was  there,  but  not  the  gallant  Fourth  Ar- 
tillery, and  every  soldier  knows  that  that  arm  is  often  more  injurious  to 
friends  than  to  foes  in  the  hands  of  men  not  duly  trained  to  it.  With  the 
exception  only  of  the  regiment  first  named,  the  army  of  General  Hull  con- 
sisted wholly  of  raw  levies  chiefly  from  Ohio,  expert  enough  at  the  rifle,  but 
utterly  incompetent  to  serve  artillery  with  effect.  Again,  the  greater  the 
number  of  men  the  greater  the  disadvantage,  unless  at  the  moment  of  assault, 
for  it  has  already  been  shown  that  the  British  battering  guns  had  obtained 
the  correct  range,  and  half  the  force  had  only  canvas  to  cover  them. 

We  pretend  not,  assume  not,  to  be  the  .panegyrist  of  General  Hull,  but 
we  have  ever  been  of  opinion  that,  as  he  expressed  himself  in  his  official 
despatch  to  the  commandant  at  Chicago,  his  principal  anxiety  was  in  regard 
to  the  defenceless  inhabitants  ;  and  that  had  his  been  an  isolated  command, 
where  men  and  soldiers  only  were  the  actors,  no  consideration  would  have 
induced  him  to  lose  sight  of  the  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War — that  no  post 
should  be  surrendered  without  a  battle.  If  he  eired  it  was  from  motives 
of  humanity  alone.  But  we  return  from  our  short  digression  to  the  little 
party  in  Fort  Dearborn. 

As  we  have  before  remarked,  the  sun  rose  on  their  immediate  preparation 
for  departure  with  a  seemingly  mocking  brilliancy.  None  had  been  in  bed 
from  early  dawn ;  and  as  holh  officers  and  men  glanced,  for  the  last  time, 
from  the  ramparts  upon  the  common,  they  saw  assembled  around  nearly  the 
whole  of  the  Indians,  with  arms  in  their  hands,  and  though  not  absolutely 
dressed  in  war  dress,  without  any  of  those  indications  of  warriors  prepared 
for  a  long  march,  such  as  that  meditated  by  the  troops,  while  their  tents  still 
remained  standing. 

"  The  prospect  is  gloomy  enough,"'  remarked  Captain  Wells,  gravely  ; 


92  WAU-NAN-QEE  ;    OR, 

"  tliose  follows  have  evljently  been  up  all  night  and  watchin'^*  tlio  fort  from 
a  distance,  to  see  wliellier  an  attcuijit  might  not  be  made  to  'steal  a  march' 
xipon  them  in  the  dark — look  yonder  to  the  left,  do  you  see  that  band 
crouching  as  the  light  becomes  stronger  behind  these  sand  hills?  Mark  mo 
■well  if  that  is  not  tlie  p(Vmt  from  which  they  will  make  their  attack,  if  attack 
us  they  do!  For  myself,  1  am  prepared  for  the  worst;  and  in  order  that 
they  sliall  know  how  much  I  mistrust  them — nay,  how  certain  1  am  of  what 
they  intend,  T  shall  head  tho  advance  willi  my  bra\e  warriors  painted  as 
black  SIS  the  devil  himself.     And  so  to  prepare  ourselves." 

"  Corporal  Nixon,  pull  me  down  that  flag,"  ordered  Ensign  Ronayno., 
pointing  to  it,  when  the  commanding  officer  had  descended  to  give  direc- 
tions for  the  formation  of  the  line  of  march — "that  is  my  especial  charge, 
and  he  who  may  take  a  fancy  to  it  must  win  it  with  my  life." 

The  corporal  replied  not.  He  was  not  aware  of  the  true  position  of  his 
3-oung  officer's  lady,  and  he  was  afraid  to  give  him  pain  by  making  allusion 
to  her.  He,  however,  promptly  obeyed,  and  when  the  Hag  was  lowercid, 
and  the  lines  cut  away,  assisted  him  in  enfolding  it  somcvfhat  in  the  fashion 
of  a  Scotch  tartan  round  his  body. 

At  the  moment  when  the  flag  came  down,  the  Indians  on  the  common  set 
tip  a  tremendous  yell.  It  was  evidently  that  of  triumph  at  the  unmistak- 
able evidence  of  the  immediate  evacuation  of  the  fort. 

The  hot  blood  of  Ronayne  could  not  sufix-r  this  with  impunity.  At  the 
full  extent  of  his  lungs  he  pealed  back  a  yell  ot^defiance,  which  attracted  the 
general  notice  towards  himself,  standing  erect  as  he  did  with  the  bright  and 
brilliant  colors  of  the  silken  flag  flashing  in  the  sun.  Among  those  who 
were  nearest  to  him  was  Pee-to-tum,  over  whose  wounded  eye  had  been 
drawn  a  colored  handkerchief  as  a  bandage.  The  Cliippewa  shook  his 
tomahawk  menacingly  at  him,  and  motioned  as  though  he  would  represent 
the  act  of  tearing  the  flag  from  his  body. 

The  shout  and  its  cause  were  heard  and  known  below.  Captain  Headley 
returned  to  the  rampart,  and  with  much  excitement  in  his  manner  and  tone, 
inquired  of  the  young  officer  what  he  meant  by  such  imprudence  of  conduct 
at  such  a  moment — when  they  Avere  about  to  place  themselves,  almost  de- 
fenceless, at  the  mercy  of  those  Avhom  he  so  wantonly  provoked. 

"■  It  ill  becomes  you,  sir,"  returned  the  Virginian,  fiercely  and  sarcasti- 
cally, "  to  talk  to  me  of  imprudence,  who  but  follow  your  example  of  yes- 
terday. Yv  here  was  the  prudence,  I  ask,  which  induced  you  to  compromise 
not  only  your  own  life,  but  the  lives  of  all,  in  spitting  first,  then  dashing 
your  glove  into  the  face  of  the  Chippewa  ?" 

"  If  you  dare  to  question  the  propriety  of  my  conduct,  sir,"  returned  his 
commanding  officer,  "  know  that  the  act  was  provoked — unavoidable,  if  we 
would  respect  ourselves  and  command  the  respect  of  our  enemies.  Pee-to- 
tum  had  insulted  the  American  people  by  contemptuously  trampling  under 
foot  the  medal  that  had  been  given  to  him  by  the  President.  Join  your 
company,  sir!  "What  tomfoolery  is  that  ?''  alluding  to  the  manner  in  vrhich 
the  colors  were  disposed  of.     "  Remove  those  colors  !" 

"  That  tomfoolery,"  returned  Ronayne,  his  cheek  paling  with  passion  as 
lie  descended  to  the  parade,  "  means  that  I  know  what  you  do  not.  Captain 
Headley — how  to  defend  the  colors  intrusted  to  my  care.  I  will  not  re- 
move them." 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  93 

''•  This  fills  the  measure  of  your  insoleii(?o,  Mr.  Rouayne,"  returned  the 
commandant ;  "  you  will  have  a  heavy  account  to  settle  by  the  time  you 
reach  Fort  Wayne." 

"  The  sooner  the  better ;  but  if  we  do  reach  it,  it  will  be  from  no  merit  of 
arrangement  of  yours,"  returned  the  subaltern,  as  he  placed  himself  in  his 
allotted  station  in  the  company. 

It  may  and  must  appear  not  only  surprising,  but  out  of  character  to  the 
reader,  that  such  language  should  pass  between  two  officers — and  these 
unquestionably  gentlemen — of  the  regular  service — the  one  in  command, 
the  other  filling  the  lowest  grade  of  the  commissioned  service ;  but  so  it 
was.  The  high  spirit  of  the  Virginian  had  ever  manifested  deep  impatience 
under  what  he  considered  to  be  the  unnecessary  martinetism  of  Capt.  Head- 
ley,  and  there  had  always  existed,  from  the  moment  of  joining  of  the  former, 
a  disposition  to  run  restive  under  his  undue  exercise  of  authority.  This 
feeling  had  been  greatly  increased  since  the  resolution  taken  by  Capt.  Head- 
ley  to  retreat  after  giving  away  the  presents  and  ammunition  to  the  Indians, 
not  only  because  it  was  a  most  imprudent  step,  but  because  while  the  fort 
was  maintained,  there  was  the  greater  chance  of  his  again  being  reunited, 
through  the  instrumentality  of  Wau-nan-gee,  to  his  wife.  Perhaps  had 
he  known  the  sincere  sympathy  which  Capt.  Ileadlej^  entertained  for  him 
at  the  grief  occasioned  by  her  loss,  or  the  knowledge  he  had  obtained  of 
her  supposed  guilt,  which,  notwithstanding  all  their  httle  differences,  he 
guarded  with  so  much  delicacy,  this  bitterness  of  feeling  would  have  been 
much  qualified ;  but  he  was  ignorant  of  the  fact,  and  only  on  one  occasion, 
and  for  a  moment  as  has  been  seen,  suspected  that  Mrs.  Headley  had,  under 
the  seal  of  confidence  and  from  a  presumed  necessity,  betrayed  his  secret. 
If  the  history  of  that  time  did  not  record  these  frequent  and  strong  expres- 
sions of  dissatisfaction  and  discontent  between  the  captain  and  the  ensign, 
we  siiould  feel  that  we  were  violating  consistency  in  detailing  tliem ;  but 
they  were  so,  and  the  only  barrier  to  an  open  and  more  marked  rupture- 
existed  in  the  person  of  Mrs.  Headley,  whom  Ronayne  loved  and  honored 
as  though  she  had  been  his  own  mother,  and  who,  on  her  part,  often 
pleaded  his  generous  warmth  of  temperament  and  more  noble  qualities  of 
heart  in  mitigation  of  the  annoyance  and  anger  of  her  husband. 


CHAPTER  XXL 

All  being  now  ready,  the  gates  were  thrown  wide  open  for  the  last  exit 
of  the  detachment,  and  the  little  column  sallied  forth.  In  the  van  rode 
Captain  Wells  and  his  little  band  of  Miamis,  whose  lugubrious  appearance 
likened  the  march  much  more  to  a  funeral  procession  than  to  the  move- 
ments of  troops  confident  in  themselves,  and  reposing  faith  in  those  whose 
services  had  been  purchased.  Next  came  thirty  men  of  the  detachment, 
and  to  them  succeeded  the  wagons,  containing,  besides  the  women  and  chil- 
dren and  sick,  such  stores  of  the  garrison,  including  spare  ammunition,  with 
the  luggage  of  the  officers  and  men,  as  could  not  be  dispensed  with.  Thirty 
men,  composing  the  remaining  subdivision  of  the  healthy  portion  of  the  de- 
tiichment,  brought  up  the  rear.     Their  route  lay  along  the  lake  shore,  while 


04  WAU-NANGEE  ;    OK, 

the  Induiis  inovcd  in  a  parallel  lino  with  them,  separated  only  by  alonij 
ran^-e  of  sandhills. 

l^oth  cxci-llont  horsewomen,  and  mounted  on  splendid  chargers  whose 
<;ood  points  had  for  years  been  proved  by  thcni  in  their  numerous  rides  in 
the  neicjhborhood,  Mrs.  Headley  and  Mrs.  Elmsley,  with  llonayne  on  horse- 
back, brought  up  the  extreme  rear.  The  former,  habited  in  a  riding  dress 
which  fitted  admirably  to  her  noble  and  graceful  figure,  was  cool  and  col- 
lected as  though  her  ride  were  one  of  mere  ordinary  parade.  Deep  thought 
there  was  in  her  countenance,  it  is  true.  Less  than  woman  had  she  been 
liad  none  been  observable  there  ;  but  of  that  unquiet  manner  which  belongs 
to  the  nervous  and  the  timid,  there  was  no  trace.  She  spoke  to  Mrs.  Elms- 
ley — who  also  manifested  a  firmness  not  common  to  a  woman,  to  one  under 
similar  circumstances,  but  still  of  a  less  decided  character  than  that  of  her 
companion — of  indifferent  subjects,  expressing,  among  other  things,  her 
regret  that  they  were  then  leaving  for  ever  the  wild  but  beautifully  ro- 
mantic country  in  which  they  had  passed  so  many  happy  days.  "  How  wo 
shall  amuse  ourselves  at  Fort  Wayne,"  she  concluded,  after  one  of  those 
remarks,  "  heaven  only  knows ;  for  although  I  spent  a  great  part  of  my 
girlhood  there,  I  confess  it  is  the  most  dull  station  in  which  I  have  ever  been 
quartered." 

''  How,"  remarked  Ronayne,  with  an  effort  at  gaiety  his  looks  belied, 
"can  the  colors  be  better  flanked  than  by  two  ladies  who  imite  in  them- 
selves all  the  chivalrous  courage  of  a  Joan  d'Arc  and  a  Jeanne  d'Amboise. 
Really,  my  dear  Mrs.  Headley,"  glancing  at  the  black  morocco  belt  girt 
around  her  waist,  and  from  which  protruded  the  handles  of  two  pistols  about 
eight  inches  in  length,  "  I  would  advise  no  Pottov;atomic  to  approach  too 
near  you  to-day." 

"  I  think  I  may  safely  second  your  I'ecommendation,  Ronayne,"  she  an- 
swered, as  uncovering  the  front  of  her  saddle  she  esliibited  a  short  rifle 
which  her  riding  habit  concealed,  "  or  they  may  find  that  my  life  has  not 
been  passed  in  the  backwoods,  without  some  little  practical  knowledge  of 
the  use  of  arms.  When  we  were  first  married  at  Fort  Wayne,  Headley 
taught  me  to  fire  the  pistol  and  the  rifle  with  equal  adroitness,  and  I  have 
not  forgotten  my  practice." 

"  And  I,"  said  j\lrs.  Elmsley,  "  though  less  formidably  provided,  have 
that  which  may  serve  me  in  an  emergency — see  here,"  and  she  di'ew  from 
the  bosom  of  her'riding  dress  a  double-barrelled  pistol,  somewhat  smaller 
than  those  of  Mrs.  Hfeadley. 

"  Well  provided,  both  of  you,"  said  the  Virginian,  "  and  I  was  correct  in 
saying  that  the  color  and  the  color-bearer  were  well  guarded,  but  hark  ! 
what  is  that !" 

Several  shots  were  fired.  They  were  discharged  by  the  Indians,  wan- 
tonly destroying  the  cattle  browsing  around  the  road  by  which  they 
advanced. 

"  Such  will  be  our  fate,"  exclaimed  the  officer  with  the  excitement  of  in- 
dignation ;  "  shot  down,  no  doubt,  like  so  many  brutes." 

At  that  moment  Captain  Headley  galloped  up  from  the  rear,  he  having 
been  the  last  to  leave  the  fort.  Ronayne's  words  were  overheard  by  him, 
and  he  demanded,  hastily  and  abruptly  : 

"  Are  you  afraid,  sir  ?    You  seem  well  protected." 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  95 

"  Sir  !"  tlnindered  the  ensign,  "  I  can  march  up  to  the  enemy  where  you 
dare  not  show  your  face." 

And,  apologizing  hurriedly  to  the  ladies,  he  dashed  the  spurs  furiously 
into  his  horse's  flanks  and  followed  his  captain,  who  had  hastened  to  the 
front. 

As  the  latter  gained  the  head  of  the  column  which  was  only  rendered  of 
any  length  by  the  dozen  bullock  wagons  containing  the  stores  and  luggage, 
he  saw  Capt.  Welh,  who  was  about  a  hundred  yai-ds  in  the  advance,  sud- 
denly wheel  round  with  his  Miamis,  and  push  rapidly  back  for  the- main 
body. 

"  They  are  preparing  to  attack  us,  sir,"  he  shouted.  "  There  is  not  a 
moment  to  be  lost  in  making  your  arrangements." 

Sc'arcely  had  these  words  been  uttered,  when  a  volley  came  rattling  across 
the  sandhill  from  the  level  of  the  prairie,  wounding,  but  not  disabhng,  two 
of  his  men. 

"  We  must  charge  them,"  he  answered,  "  it  is  our  only  hope.  Keep  them 
'u  check,  Wells,  wliile  I  form  line.  Now,  my  lads,  it  is  death  or  victory  for 
us.  Baggage  wagons  halt,  and  form  hollow  square,  to  shelter  the  women 
and  children  from  the  bullets  of  the  enemy.  Rear  subdivision,  to  the  front ! 
Right  subdivision,  halt !" 

"  Left  subdivision,  halt !"  ordered  Lieutenant  Elmsley,  when  they  had 
come  up. 

'•Front!"  pursued  the  captain,  and  the  line  was  formed.  "Men,  throw 
off  your  packs — you  must  have  nothing  to  encumber  you  in  that  sand  ;  the 
drivers  will  carry  them  into  the  square.  Ladies,  you  had  better  retire  there 
too." 

"  To  a  soldier's  wife  the  field  of  battle  w1Sr«  preferable  on  a  day  like  this," 
calmly  returned  Mrs.  Ileadley,  who,  with  Mrs.  Elmsley,  had  ridden  up  with 
the  rear.  "  Better  to  be  shot  down  there  than  tomahawked  near  the  wa- 
gons.    Besides  our  presence  will  encourage  the  men — will  it  not,  my  lads  ?" 

A  loud  cheer  burst  from  the  ranks.  Each  man,  certainly,  felt  greater  con- 
fidence than  before. 

"  Then  forward,  charge  !"  shouted  Capt.  Headley,  availing  himself  of  this 
moment  of  enthusiasm  ;  "  recollect,  you  fight  for  your  wives  and  children  ; 
if  you  drive  not  the  Indians,  they  perish  !" 

"Nay,  forget  not,  you  fight  for  your  colors!''  cried  Ronayne,  galloping 
furiously  through  the  sand  to  the  front,  and  heading  the  centre. 

The  ascent  was  not  very  steep,  and  as  the  colors,  tightly  girt  over  the 
shoulders  of  Ronayne  and  hanging  from  the  flanks  of  his  horse,  first  ap- 
peared crowning  the  crest,  and  then  the  little  serried  line  of  bayonets  glit- 
tering like  so  many  streams  of  light  in  the  sun's  rays,  exclamations  of 
wonder,  mingled  with  fierce  shouts,  burst  from  the  Indians,  who  up  to  this 
moment  had,  after  their  first  volley,  been  wholly  occupied  by  Captain  Wells 
and  his  party  of  horsemen,  whom  they  seemed  more  anxious  to  make  pri- 
soners than  to  fire  at,  and  this  in  consideration  of  their  horses,  which  they 
were  anxious  to  obtain  unwounded. 

"  Wells,"  shouted  Captain  Headley,  on  whose  little  line  the  Indians  now 
began  to  open  their  fire,  "  send  half  your  people  to  protect  my  right  flank. 
Charge,  men  !  It  is  all  down  hill  work  now,  and  we  are  fairly  in  for  it.  If 
we  are  to  die,  let  us  die  like  men." 


96  WAU-KAN-aicK ;  or,  . 

Simultanoou.>ly,  aiul  without  tho  order,  the  men  sliouteJ  the  cliarge  a\ 
with  their  coaiiuandiiig  ufliccr  and  the  colors  full  in  viow  before  them,  they 
dashed  fo'rward  where  their  enemies  were  the  thiekost,  and  such  was  the 
effect  of  their  unswerving  courage  that  the  latter,  although  in  numbers  suffi- 
cient to  have  annihilated  them,  were  awed  by  their  resolution  ;  and  in  many 
instances,  those  who  were  not  in  the  immediate  line  of  their  advance,  stood 
leaning  on  their  guns  watching  them  and  without  firing  a  sliot ;  nor  was 
this  strange,  for  it  must  be  recollected  that  the  hostile  feeling  to  the  garrison 
had  not  been  shared  by  all  the  Pottowatoraics,  especially  by  the  chiefs  and 
more  elderly  warriors. 

Before  the  determined  advance  of  the  gallant  little  band  the  Indians  gave 
way,  until  they  had  retired  again  nearly  as  far  as  their  own  encampment, 
but  the  ranks  were  fast  thmning  by  the  distant  fire  of  the  enemy,  whom  it 
was  found  impossible  to  reach  with  the  bayonet. 

"  This  Avill  never  do,"  thundered  Capt.   Ileadley  ;  "  halt !  form  square  !'' 

The  order  was  speedily  obeyed  ;  but  on  hearing  firing  behind  and  looking 
round  for  his  wife  and  Mrs.  Elmsley,  to  place  them  in  the  centre,  Captain 
Headley  saw  that  a  great  number  of  the  Indians  whom  they  had  driven 
before  them  liad  turned  aside  and  reunited  behind — thus  cutting  them  off 
from  their  j)arty.  It  has  already  been  observed  that  the  hoi-se  Mrs.  Head- 
ley rode  was  a  magnificent  animal,  docile  yet  full  of  life  and  spirit,  and  the 
excitement  and  sound  of  battle  had,  on  this  occasion,  given  to  him  an  ani- 
mation— a-grace,  if  it  may  be  so  expressed,  which,  rendered  even  more 
remarkable  by  the  superb  figure  of  his  rider,  excited  in  several  of  the  Indians 
a  strong  desire  to  get  possession  of  him  uninjured.  Her  own  scalp  they 
were  burning  with  eagerness  to  secure ;  for  from  the  first  moment  of  the 
charge  down  the  hill,  she  had  ifted  her  little  rifle  so  successfully  that  of 
three  Indians  hit  by  her  two  had  been  killed,  and  they  had  evinced  their 
deep  exasperation.  The  anxiety  to  extricate  herself,  without  the  horse  being 
wounded,  in  all  probability  saved  her ;  for  they  fired  so  high  tliat  almost  all 
the  bullets  passed  over  her  head,  although  not  less  than  seven  did  reach  their  • 
aim — one  of  them  lodging  in  her  left  arm.  The  Indians  were  now  pressing 
more  closely  upon  her,  Avhen  Captain  Wells,  seeing  the  danger  to  which  the 
noble  woman  was  exposed,  dashed  back  at  the  head  of  his  brave  horsemen,  and 
used  the  tomahawk  with  such  effect  without  the  enemy  being  able  to  guard 
themselves  against  the  rapidity  of  his  movements,  that  he  soon  cleared  a 
passage  to  her,  cleft  the  skull  of  a  Pottowatomie  who  had  reached  her  side, 
and  was  in  the  very  act  of  rerao\ing  her  riding  hat  to  scalp  her  alive,  and 
hfting  her  off  her  horse,  covered  with  wounds  and  faint  from  loss  of  blood, 
bore  her  rapidly  down  towards  the  lake.  As  he  approached  it,  he  met 
Winnebeg  and  Black  Partridge  returning  to  the  scene  of  blood,  to  save  her 
if  possible,  as  they  had  previously  saved  Mrs.  Elmsley,  who  had  had  her 
horse  shot  under  her,  and  been  wounded  in  the  ankle.  I'.oth  were  hurried 
into  a  canoe,  and  concealed  under  blankets  by  those  good  but  now  powerless 
chiefs,  while  the  brave  but  desperate  cn.ptain  returned  to  head  his  warriors 
and  try  the  last  issue  of  the  fight. 

Meanwhile,  Captain  Ileadley  had  been  again  attacked  and  with  great  fury 
by  the  rallying  Indians,  while  the  only  diversion  in  his  favor  was  that  made 
by  the  little  band  of  ]\iiamis,  who,  however,  could  not  be  expected  to  render 
efficient  aid  much  longer ;  besides,  whatever  immediate  advantage  might  be 


THE  MASSACKE  AT  CUICAGO.  '9^ 

gained,  the  final  result  when  the  darkness  of  night  should  set  in,  was  but.too 
certain.  Not  only  his  officers  and  liiraself,  but  his  men  felt  this,  and  t,Jiey 
could  scarcely  be  said  to  regret  it,  when,  surrounding  them  from  a  distance, 
the  Indians  renewed  a  fire  which,  from  the  moment  of  their  first  being 
thrown  into  square,  had  in  a  great  degree  been  lulled.  During  that  short 
interval  they  had  been  made  to  moisten  their  parched  lips  from  their  can- 
teens of  water  into  which  had  been  thrown  a  small  quantity  of  rum  at  start- 
ing, and  no  one  who  has  ever  donned  the  buckler  need  be  told  the  exhi- 
larating, the  renev?ing  influence  of  this  upon  men  jaded  with  long  previous 
watching  and  fighting  at  disadvantage. 

"  Men,  husband  your  ammunition,"  enjoined  the  captain,  "  keep  cool,  and. 
when  I  give  the  word,  level  low  and  deliberately.  Our  position  cannot  be 
better,  for  the  country  is  all  clear  and  flat  around  us.  God  defend  the 
right." 

"  Commence  file-firing  from  the  right  of  faces,"  he  ordered,  as  he  remarked 
that  the  Indians,  rendered  bolder  by  his  inactivity,  were  evidently  closing 
upon  him,  as  for  the  purpose  of  a  rush. 

Steadily  and  coolly  the  men  pulled  the  trigger  for  the  first  time;  and  the 
eflfect  of  the  caution  he  had  given  was  perceptible.  The  Indians  were  no 
less  galled  than  astonished  when  turning  from  one  face  to  get  out  of  the  way 
of  danger,  they  found,  the  bullets  coming  upon  them  from  every  point  of  the 
compass — not  very  many,  it  is  true,  but  quite  enough  to  stay  and  to  warn 
them  that  a  nearer  approach  was  dangerous  ;  and  before  the  little  band  had 
discharged  a  dozen  cartridges  each — few  failing  to  tell — they  had 'with- 
drawn entirely  out  of  reach  of  danger  either  to  themselves  or  to  their 
enemies. 

While  thus  they  stood,  as  it  were,  at  bay,  they  for  the  first  time  had  lei- 
sure to  look  around  and  observe  the  havoc  that  had  been  done  along  the 
slope  of  the  sandhill  and  on  the  plain  below.  Xearly  half  of  their  gallant 
comrades  lay  there  scalped  and  tomahawked,  and  with  their  bodies  and 
limbs  thrown  into  those  strange  contortions  which  mark  the  last  physical 
agony  of  the  soldier  struck  down  by  the  bullet  in  the  midst  of  hfe  and  health  ; 
but  for  every  private  lay  two  Indians  at  least — a  few  of  them  who  had  been 
overtaken  in  the  furious  charge  down  the  hill,  but  most  of  them  sufferers 
from  their  fire  while  formed  in  their  Uttle  but  compact  square.  Capt.  Head- 
ley  and  his  lieutenant  looked  an.xiously,  but  silently,  towards  the  sand  hill, 
where  they  had  last  seen  their  wives  exposed  to  the  most  imminent  danger, 
yet  gallantly  defended  by  Captain  Wells  and  his  Miami  warriors,  three  of 
whose  horses,  shot  under  them,  encumbered  the  ground,  but  nothing  was  to 
be  seen  of  either  ;  and  the  bitterness  of  sorrow  was  in  their  hearts,  for  they 
believed  them  to  be  dead,  and  that  their  bodies  were  lying  beyond  the  crest 
of  the  hill,  whence  occasional  shouts  were  heard.  As  for  Ronayne,  he  kept 
his  eye  fixed  in  the  opposite  direction,  for  they  were  not  far  from  the  en- 
campment of  the  Pottowatomies,  and  he  felt  satisfied  that  his  beloved  Maria, 
who,  after  the  great  peril  to-  which  he  had  fears  Mrs.  Headley  and  Mrs 
Elmsley  were  e.xposed,  he  deeply  rejoiced  to  know  was  in  a  place  of  safety, 
was  then  not  for  from  him,  and  no  doubt  forcibly  detained  from  the  field  by 
the  mother  of  Wau-nan-gee,  or  by  the  youth  himself. 

"  'Twere  folly  t<j  remain  here  longer  and  thus  inactive,"  remarked  Captain 
Headley.     "The  Indians  are  evidently  waiting  for  night  to  renew  their 

7 


98  WAU-5AN-GEE  ;     OK,  # 

attack,  for  tliey  are  sensible  that,  as  few  of  them  arc  provided  with  rifles,  our 
mi»;k'ot-!  have  (:;reatly  the  advantn;j;o  of  range.  Hark  !  do  3'ou  hear  tiic  yelb 
and  shouting-  of  the  hell-hounds  in  the  fort?  It  is  moII  for  us  that  nearly 
lialf  their  force  has  been  attracted  tliither  by  the  thirst  of  ^hinder  and  the 
hope  of  obtaining  rum.  l^ut  let  us  resume  our  jtosition  on  the  hill.  Now 
that  we  shall  be  enabled  to  command  every  thing  around  us,  if  we  are 
to  die  let  us  fall  together  like  men  and  soldiers  in  our  little  serried  square." 

"  Long  live  our  brave  captain  ! — huzza  !  We  will  iight  to  the  last  cart- 
ridge, and  bayonet  in  hand,"  exclaimed  Paul  Dcgarmo,  raising  his  cap 
excitedly. 

The  cheer  was  taken  up  and  prolonged  until  the  forest  that  bounded  the 
places  they  were  in  sent  back  the  echo. 

Scarcelv  had  this  subsided,  when  terrific  shrieks  and  cries,  mingled  with 
iicrce  yells,  burst  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  sandhill.  This  lasted  for 
about  five  minutes,  and  then  gradually  die<l  away,  'j'hen  many  straggling 
shots  were  heard,  and  these  died  away  in  distance. 

Captain  Ileadley,  who  had  deferred  his  movement  towards  the  sandhill 
during  this  manifestation  of  the  presence  of  the  enemy  on  the  other  side  of 
the  rid"-e,  now  moved  his  men  to  its  base,  and  there  halted  them.  After  a 
little  time,  ordering  a  rush  with  the  bayonet  on  the  first  Indians  who  should 
show  themselves  in  any  force,  he  stepped  out  of  the  square,  and  moved  in  a 
stooping  posture  to  gain  the  summit,  that  he  might  reconnoitre  the  enemy 
and  see  what  they  were  about.  But  scarcely  had  he  reached  the  top  when 
he  again  rapidly  descended.  His  face  was  pale — his  lips  compressed.  He 
had  seen  a  sight  to  shake  the  nerves  of  the  sternest  soldier,  and  gladly  did 
he  swallow,  from  the  canteen  of  Sergeant  Nixon,  who  offered  it  to  him,  the 
cordial  beverage  that  carried  renevifed  circulation  to  his  veins. 

"  Forward,  men,  with  as  little  noise  as  possible,  and  gain  the  crest  of  the 
hill ;  but,  whatever  you  see,  let  not  your  nerves  be  shaken  into  indiscretion. 
If  you  fire  without  orders  from  me,  you  are  lost  without  a  hope.  Be  cool, 
and  when  I  do  give  the  command  to  fire,  let  the  front  face  of  the  square 
exchange  their  discharged  firelocks  for  those  of  the  rear  face,  in  order  to  be 
always  loaded.     Now,  men,  be  cool." 

Captain  Headley  was  wise  in  issuing  this  precautionary  order,  for  the  sight 
the  little  square  beheld,  on  gaining  and  halting  on  the  ridge,  was  one  not 
merely  to  render  men  reckless  and  imprudent,  but  in  n  great  measure  to 
drive  them  mad. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

A  crimson  river  of  warm  blood  like  to  .1  bubbling  fountain  stirr'd  with  wind. 

Titus  Andronieus. 

To  understand  the  horrible  scene  that  met  the  view,  first  of  the  coramand- 
ng  officer,  and  subsequently  of  the  little  square,  it  will  be  necessary  to  go 
back  to  certain  events  of  the  past  half  hour. 

When  Captain  Wells  had  returned  fi-om  delivering  over  his  wounded 
niece  to  the  charge  of  Black  Partridge  and  Winnebeg,  both  of  whom  had,. 
•with  deep  sori*ow,  beheld  the  fiendish  excesses  of  their  young  men,  but  with- 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  90 

out  being  able  to  prevent  them,  he  was  pursuing  his  ■way  across  the  sandhill  to 
the  assistance  of  Captain  Headley.  Suddenly,  while  looking  around  to  find 
out  in  what  part  of  the  field  his  Miamis  were,  he  saw  several  Pottowatomies 
approach  the  spot  where  the  baggage  wagons  were  drawn  up,  and  com- 
mence tomahawking  the  children.  The  cries  and  shrieks  of  the  mothers, 
as  the  helpless  victims  perished  one  after  the  other,  under  their  eyes,  until 
nearly  a  dozen  had  fallen,  brought  w^ith  it  all  the  renewal  of  the  horror  he 
ever  experienced  when  women  and  children  were  the  assailed,  and  drove 
him  almost  frantic. 

"  Is  that  your  game  ?"  he  exclaimed  furiously  in  theii-  own  language  ! — 
"  thank  God,  we  can  play  at  that  too." 

The  attempt  to  check  the  strong  party  assembled  round  the  wagons,  he 
felt  would  be  unavailing,  but  resolving  to  venture,  single-handed,  into  the 
encampment  of  the  enemy,  where  their  children  had  been  left  unguarded, 
he  turned  his  horse's  head,  dashed  past  the  fort  again  at  his  fullest  speed, 
an-l  with  revenge  and  a  threat  of  retaliation  racking  his  very  heart  strings, 
made  for  their  wigwams.  Alarmed,  in  turn,  for  the  safety  of  their  squaws 
and  children,  the  miu'derers  now  desisted  from  their  work  and  followed  as 
vapidly  as  they  could  on  foot,  the  flight  of  the  Miami  leader.  Every  now  and 
then  they  stopped  and  fired,  but  at  the  outset  all  their  shots  were  in  vain,  for 
the  captain,  accustomed  to  that  sort  of  warfare,  throwing  himself  along  the 
neck  of  his  horse,  loading  and  firing  in  that  position,  baffled  all  their 
attempts  to  bring  him  down,  while  he  waved  his  tomahawk  on  high,  as  if  in 
triumph  at  the  successful  issue  of  what  he  meditated.  As  the  pursuing 
Indians  passed  the  gate  of  the  fort,  now  filled  with  plunderers,  many  intox- 
icated, Pee-to-tum,  who  had  been  there  from  the  first — his  love  of  drink 
being  even  stronger  than  his  thirst  for  revenge — came  staggering  forth,  sud- 
denly aroused  to  a  consciousness  of  what  was  going  on  without,  and  de- 
manded to  know  the  cause  of  this  new  and  immediate  tumult.  The  young 
Indians  hastily  informed  him;  when  the  Chippewa,  dropping  on  one  knee, 
and  holding  his  ramrod  as  a  rest  upon  the  ground,  ran  his  right  and  uninjured 
eye  along  the  sight,  pulled  the  trigger,  and  brought  down  the  horse  of  the 
fugitive,  which  fell  with  a  heavy  plunge.  A  tremendous  shout  followed 
from  the  band  who  had  lost  four  warriors  by  his  fire,  and  who,  consequently 
deeply  enraged,  now  made  the  greatest  efforts  to  come  up  with  and  secure 
jiim.  Before  he  could  disengage  himself  from  his  horse,  under  which  he  lay 
severely  wounded  himself,  two  other  Indians  came  up  from  an  opposite 
quarter,  and,  taking  him  prisoner,  sought  to  bear  him  off  before  the  others 
could  reach  him.  These  were  the  chiefs  Waubansee  and  Winnebeg,  the 
latter  of  whom,  seeing  the  dtmger  of  the  captain  from  the  moment  when  the 
massacre  of  the  children  commenced,  had  left  Mrs.  Headley  and  Mrs.  Elms- 
ley  under  the  care  of  Black  Partridge,  and  hastened  to  be  of  service  to  him 
if  possible.  But  all  their  efforts  to  save  him  were  vain.  With  rapid  strides, 
and  shouts  rendered  more  savage  than  ever  by  the  fumes  of  the  liquor  he 
had  swallowed,  and  with  the  scalp  of  the  unfortunate  Von  Voltenberg — who 
had  been  killed  while  returning  to  the  fort  for  a  small  flask  of  brandy  which 
he  had  forgotten  — dangling  at  his  side,  Pee-to-tum  advanced  v/ith  furious 
speed,  and,  stabbing  the  captain  in  the  back,  put  an  end  to  his  misery.  No 
sooner  had  he  fallen,  than,  like  a  vulture,  the  Chippewa  sprang  upon  the 
lifeless  body,  and,  making  an  incision  with  his  knife  upon  the  strong  and 


I'fM)'  WAU-NAN-GKE ;     OR, 

full-haired  crown,  tore  the  reeking  covering  away,  and  thus  added  another 
trophy  to  his  disgusting  spoils.  This  was  the  signal  for  further  outrage. 
Exasperated  by  the  knowledge  of  the  revenge  he  had  meditated,  and  the 
loss  he  had  already  occasioned  them,  the  warrioi-s  who  had  first  followed  the 
ill-fated  Miami  leader,  cut  open  the  left  side  with  their  knives,  and  tore  forth 
the  yet  warm  and  bleeding  heart,  which,  as  well  as  the  body  itself,  they 
bore  back  in  triumph  to  the  very  spot  whence  they  had  set  out,  Pee-to-tum 
carrying  his  heart,  pierced  by  the  lamrod,  as  it  protruded  a  couple  of  feet 
from  the  barrel  of  his  rifle. 

Squatted  in  a  circle,  and  within  a  few  feet  of  the  wagon  in  which  the 
tomahawked  children  lay  covered  with  blood,  and  fast  stiffening  in  the  cold- 
ness of  death,  now  sat  about  twenty  Indians,  with  Pee-to-tum  at  their  head, 
passing  from  hand  to  hand  the  quivering  heart  of  the  slain  man,  whose  eyes, 
straining,  as  it  were,  from  their  sockets,  seemed  to  watch  the  horrid  repast 
in  whicli  they  were  indulging,  while  the  blood  streamed  disgustingly  over 
their  chins  and  lips,  and  trickled  over  their  persons.  So  many  wolves  or 
tigers  could  not  have  torn  away  more  voraciously  with  their  teeth,  or 
smacked  their  lips  with  greater  delight  in  the  relish  of  human  food,  than  did 
these  loathsome  creatures,  who  now  moistened  the  nauseous  repast  from  a 
black  bottle  of  rum  which  had  been  found  in  one  of  the  wagons  containing 
the  medicine  for  the  sick — and  what  gave  additional  disgust  was  the  hideous 
aspect  of  the  inflamed  eye  of  the  Chippewa,  from  which  the  bandage  had 
fallen  off",  and  from  which  the  heat  of  the  sun's  rays  was  fast  drawing  a 
briny,  ropy,  and  copious  discharge,  resembling  rather  the  grey  and  slimy 
mucus  of  the  toad  than  the  tears  of  a  human  being. 

At  the  moment  when  the  httle  square  thus  reappeared  unexpectedly  be- 
fore them,  the  revellers,  who  had  supposed  them  either  in  the  hollow  below, 
or  long  since  disposed  of  by  their  comrades,  were  almost  instantly  sobered 
and  on  their  feet.  Quickly  they  flew  to  secure  their  guns,  which  lay  at  a 
little  distance  behind  them ;  but,  before  they  could  reach  them,  a  volley 
from  the  front  face  of  the  square  was  poured  in  with  an  effect  which,  at  that 
short  distance,  could  not  fail  to  prove  destructive ;  and  of  the  twenty  Indians 
who  had  composed  the  circle,  more  than  a  dozen  of  them  fell  dead,  or  so 
desperately  wounded,  that  they  could  not  crawl  off  the  ground. 

"  Good,  men !"  shudderingly  remarked  Capt.  Headley,  "  we  have  re- 
venged  this  slaughter  at  least.  Cease  firing.  Pull  not  another  trigger  until 
I  order  you.  If  there  be  a  hope  left  for  us,  it  must  depend  wholly  upon 
our  coolness.  What  a  pity  you  missed  that  scoundrel  Pee-to-tum.  Hark, 
Elmsley,  do  you  hear  his  brutal  voice  calling  upon  the  Indians  to  renew  the 
attack  1" — and  then  in  a  lower  tone  to  the  same  officer :  "  What  can  have 
become  of  our  wives  ?  Yonder  rides  a  Pottowatomie  mounted  on  Mrs. 
Headley's  charger.     I  pray  God  they  may  not  have  made  them  prisoners  !" 

"  Heaven  grant  it  may  be  so,  sir !"  solemnly  returned  his  subaltern ; 
"  but,  in  their  present  exasperated  state,  I  fear  the  worst.  Why,  while  we 
were  in  the  hollow,  I  distinctly  saw  Mrs.  Headley  bring  down  two  Indians 
with  her  rifle.     They  would  not  easily  forget  that." 

"  And  I,  sir,"  said  Sergeant  Nixon  deferentially,  as  if  fearing  to  intrude, 
"  saw  Mrs.  Elmsley's  horse  shot  under  her ;  and  when  an  Indian  came  up 
and  struggled  with  her,  she  threw  her  ami  around  his  neck,  and  presented 
and  fired  a  pistol  at  him,  and  then  tried  to  get  at  his  scalping  knife  which 


THE    MASSACRE    AT    CHICAGO.  101 

was  suspended  over  his  chest.  What  the  result  was,  I  could  not  make  out ; 
but  the  last  I  saw  of  her,  she  was  seized  by  another  Indian  and  carried  in 
his  arms  across  the  very  spot  where  we  now  stand.  See,  sir,  that  is  her 
horse !"  and  he  pointed  to  the  animal,  which  lay  only  a  few  feet  from  the 
square,  and  which,  among  the  dead  bodies  of  soldiers,  Pottowatomies,  and 
Miamis,  had  hitherto  escaped  their  attention. 

"  See,  sir,  they  are  collecting  in  great  force  near  the  gate,"  observed  the 
lieutenant — ''  I  can  distinctly  see  Pee-to-tum,  who  has  joined  them,  motion- 
ing with  his  hand  to  advance." 

"Then  is  this  the  best  position  we  could  have  chosen,"  returned  Captain 
Headley ;  "  courage,  men  !  A  taste  of  biscuit  from  your  haversacks  while 
you  have  time,  a  teaspoonful  of  rum,  and  then  we  must  at  it  again.  Mind, 
above  all  things,  that  you  keep  cool,  and  do  not  fire  a  shot  without  orders." 

Fi-om  the  moment  that  Ronayne  had  placed  himself,  with  the  colors,  at 
the  head  of  the  little  party  when  advancing  up  the  sandhill,  he  had  not 
spoken  a  word,  but  continued  to  gaze  fixedly  and  abstractedly  upon  that 
part  of  the  plain  or  prairie  which  led  to  the  inner  encampment  of  the  In- 
dians. His  whole  thought — his  undivided  attention  was  given  to  his  wife, 
whose  anxiety,  nay,  anguish,  at  hearing  the  sounds  of  conflict  which  denoted 
his  imminent  peril,  he  knew  must  be  intense.  True,  he  himself  was  spared 
the  anxiety  and  uncertainty  which  filled  the  breasts  of  his  comrades  on  seeing 
those  they  loved  best  on  earth  exposed  to  all  the  fearful  chance  of  battle, 
but  even  in  that  there  was  an  excitement  which  in  some  degree  compen- 
sated for  the  risks  they  ran.  The  very  fact  of  their  presence  had  sustained 
them  ;  but  now  that  the  final  result  seemed  no  longer  doubtful,  and  that  the 
annihilation  of  the  whole  party  was  to  be  momentarily  expected,  he  felt  that 
one  last  look,  one  last  embrace  of  her  he  loved,  would  rob  death  of  half  its 
horrors.  But  this  was  but  the  momentary  selfishness  of  the  man.  When 
Mrs.  Headley  and  Mrs.  Elmsley  were  known  to  have  disappeared,  he  more 
than  ever  rejoiced  in  the  circumstances  which  had  removed  his  beloved  wife 
from  the  horrors  of  the  day,  and  placed  her  under  so  faithful  a  guardianship 
as  that  of  the  generous  Wau-nan-gee.  ' 

But  there  was  another  reason  for  the  calm,  the  serious  silence  which  the 
Virginian  had  preserved.  Independently  of  the  aching  interest  he  took  in 
all  that  he  supposed  to  be  passing  at  that  moment  in  the  mind  of  his  absent 
wife,  he  had  been  deeply  galled  by  the  last  insulting  remark  of  Captain 
Headley,  to  which  he  had,  it  is  true,  replied  in  a  similar  spirit,  yet  which 
nevertheless  had  continued  to  give  him  much  annoyance.  His  duty  as 
bearer  of  the  colors  being  rather  passive  than  active,  he  had  not  found  it 
necessary  to  open  his  lips,  except  to  utter  a  few  words  of  encouragement  and 
approval" to  the  men.  Formed  in  hollow  square,  as  the  little  force  now  was, 
there  was  no  opportunity  for  display  of  individual  or  personal  prowess,  or  he 
certainly  would  have  sought  an  opportunity  to  test  with  his  commanding 
officer  the  extent  of  their  respective  daring.  But  now  an  occasion  at  last 
presented  itself,  and  in  a  manner  least  expected. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 
From  the  position  now  occupied  by  the  devoted  little  band,  a  view  of 


U|2  WAU-NAX-OKK  5    OK, 

the  wbo'o  adjacent  country  was  distinctly  commanded,  even  to  the 
very  gales  of  the  fort,  from  which  they  had  never  udvauced  more 
than  half  a  mile  on  their  retreat,  and  within  a  mile  of  which  their  move- 
ments had  again  brought  them.  On  looking  anxiously  aroiuid  to  see  from 
what  direction  the  most  imminent  danger  would  proceed.  Captain  lleadley 
remarked  a  large  body  of  Indians  issuing  from  the  gateway,  .and  mo\ing 
slowly  from  the  furt  towards  them. 

"  Give  me  the  glass,  Mr.  Elmsloy,"  he  said  to  that  officer,  who  had  it 
•  slung  over  his  shoulder,  "  let  me  see  if  I  can  make  out  what  they  intend. 
Ha  !  by  heaven  they  are  moving  one  of  the  field  jiieces  towards  us.  Could 
they  but  manage  a  few  rounds  of  that,  they  would  soon  make  short  w^ork 
of  the  affair,  but  the  simpletons  seem  to  have  overlooked  the  fact  of  the^un 
being  spiked — even  if  they  knew  how  to  aim  it." 

"  If  it  is  the  gun  that  was  in  the  block-house,  it  is  not  spiked,  sir,"  re- 
marked Sergeant  Nixon. 

"  Not  spiked  !  how  is  that  ?"  asked  the  captain  quickly — almost  angrily. 

"  The  spikes  were  too  large,  sir ;  and  Weston,  whose  duty  it  was,  broke 
a  ramrod  off  instead." 

"  Ha  !  is  it  so  ?  What  a  thought  strikes  me  !  Could  we  get  hold  of  that 
gun,  we  might  yet  make  terms  with  those  devils.  Who  will  lead  a  forlorn 
hope  and  volunteer  to  take  it  ?" 

"  I  will,"  thundered  Ronayne,  with  sudden  vivacity,  his  eye  flashing 
fiercely  as  he  met  the  glance  of  his  commanding  officer.  "  Spare  me  three 
men  from  each  face  of  the  square,  and  I  will  bring  it  to  you  or  die  in  the 
attempt."     The  captain  colored  and  looked  annoyed  with  himself. 

"  One  moment,  Mr.  Ronayne.  Have  we  the  means  of  removing  the  bro- 
ken ramrod  if  we  should  get  the  gun  ?    Where  is  the  armorer  ?" 

"  I  have  them,  sir,"  returned  the  man.  "  I  thought  a  drill  and  a  hammer 
would  be  useful  on  the  march,  and  so  I  put  them  in  my  pack." 

"  Pish  !  there  is  another  difficulty.  Your  pack  is  as  difficult  to  reach  as 
the  gun.     It  is  in  the  wagon,  is  it  not  ?" 

"  Yes,  sir,  and  the  hammer  in  it,  but  I  have  the  spike  thrust  through  a 
piece  of  beef  in  my  haversack." 

"  All  right.  There  are  stones  enough  around  to  supply  the  absence  of  a 
hammer." 

"  Volunteers  to  the  front !"  said  Ronayne,  in  a  low,  firm  tone,  and  with 
compressed  lip.     "  What  Hardscrabble  men  will  follow  me  1" 

Simultaneously,  Sergeant  Nixon,  Corporals  Collins  and  Green ;  Phillips, 
Watson,  Weston,  and  Degarmo,  stepped  forth,  with  several  others,  anxious 
to  be  of  the  party,  until  the  number  was  made  up,  and  again  the  diminished 
square  closed  upon  its  centre. 

"  Not  yet,"  cried  Captain  Headley,  who,  having  once  moi'e  applied  the 
glass  to  his  eye,  was  closely  watching  the  movements  of  the  Indian  mass. 
"  Nothing  must  be  left  to  mere  chance.  Mr.  Elmsley,  what  is  the  position 
of  the  wagon  which  contains  the  ammunition '?" 

"  It  was  the  leading  one,  sir,"  returned  the  officer  addressed.  "  What 
alteration  has  been  made  in  the  act  of  throwing  them  into  square,  I  cannot 
possibly  tell." 

"  See,  is  not  that  it  ?"  asked  the  commanding  officer,  pointing  to  one  from 
the  top  of  which  several  casks  protruded. 


THE  MASSACRH  AT  CHICAGO.  103 

"  It  is,"  was,  tlie  reply. 

"  Then,  Mr.  Ronayne,  first  lead  your  party  to  tlie  wagons  and  let  each 
man  load  himself  from  the  keg  of  ball  cartridge,  and  as  many  grenades  as  he 
can  carry — these  must  supply  the  place  of  larger  shot,  if  we  get  the  gun. 
Lose  no  time.  There  is  not  an  Indian  on  that  side  of  the  sandhill  now,  and 
you  will  easily  accomplish  your  object.  Sampson,"  addressing  the  armorer, 
"you  may  as  well  avail  yourself  of  the  opportunity  to  get  your  heavy  ham- 
mer.    The  stones  about  here  are  brittle,  and  may  break." 

In  little  moi'e  than  five  minutes,  this  first  part  of  their  duty  was  accom- 
plished, although  under  circumstances  far  more  painful  and  repugnant  than 
the  more  dangerous  one  in  reserve.  On  their  way  to  the  wagons  they  were 
compelled  to  pass  close  to  the  scalped  and  disembowelled  body  of  the  brave 
but  unfortunate  Y/ells,  whose  still  bleeding  heart,  only  half  eaten,  Avas  en- 
crusted with  saad,  and  bore  the  ragged  impress  of  teeth  driven  furiously  and 
voraciously  into  it.  On  their  arrival  near  the  wagons,  their  nerves  v/ere 
further  tried  by  the  horrible  and  disgusting  spectacle  of  the  slain  children, 
whose  scalped  heads  and  mutilated  remains  gave  unmistakable  evidence  of 
the  fate  that  awaited  themselves  unless  Providence  should  interpose  a  mi- 
racle in  their  favor,  while  their  ears  were  assailed  by  the  stifled  groans  and 
sobbings  of  mothers  who  had  covered  their  heads  up  with  blankets  and 
sheets,  not  only  with  a  view  to  shut  out  the  appalling  sight  of  their  mfur- 
dered  offspring,  but  to  seek  exemption  from  a  similar  fate.  So  confused 
was  the  perdeptiou  of  those  poor,  unhappy  creatures,  that  they  could  not 
identify  either  the  voices  or  the  language  of  those  who  were  now  near  them 
— some,  the  fathers  of  the  innocents  they  mourned — but  believed  them  to 
be  Pottowatomies,  and  it  was  not  until  they  had  departed,  and  were  out  of 
sight,  that  they  ventured  again  to  uncover  their  heads,  and  breathe  a 
pui-e  air. 

By  the  time  the  party  returned,  acd  had  deposited  within  the  square  the 
keg  of  bail  cartridges,  and  some  fifty  hand  grenades,  the  Indians  in  great 
numbers  had  brought  the  three  pounder,  which  was  now  made  out  to  be 
the  calibre  of  the  gun,  to  the  very  cpot  wliere  Capt.  Pleadley  had  first 
formed  the  square,  and  just  without  the  present  range  of  the  heavy  muskets 
of  the  men.  There  was  a  great  deal  of  clamor  and  bustle  about  the  manner 
of  manoeuvring  the  piece,  and  with  the  aid  of  the  glass  it  could  be  distinctly 
seen  that  they  once  or  twice  applied  a  burning  torch  to  the  breech,  for, 
when  this  was  done,  the  Indians  grouped  around  retired  quickly  from  its 
neighboi-hood,  but,  on  finding  it  did  not  explode,  seemed  for  tlie  first  time  to 
be  sensible  of  the  cause,  and  again  gathered  near  it. 

"  Now,  Mr.  Ronayne,  is  your  time,"  said  Capt.  Headley  to  the  young 
officer,  whose  volunteers,  twelve  in  number,  with  a  hand  grenade  in  each 
haversack,  and  a  second  in  his  right  hand,  now  stood  ready,  with  their 
muskets  at  the  trail,^  to  ignite  the  port  fire,  and  descend  upon  the  formidable 
mass  below  them.  "  Sampson,  the  moment  you  reach  the  gun,  drive  in  the 
spike,  and  turn  the  muzzle  towards  the  thickest  of  the  enemy.  Every  bullet 
will,  doubtless,  tell.  The  discharge  v/ill  throw  them  into  confusion,  and 
enable  you,  ^Ir.  Ronayne,  to  retire  under  the  cover  of  our  musketry.  The 
gun  once  here,  and  we  may  change  the  fortune  of  the  day.  Are  your  port 
fires  all  lighted  1    Forward,  then  !" 

And  do\vn  in  silence  dashed  the  little  party  into  the  midst  of  their  ene- 


y)4  WAU-NAN-GBE  ;    OK, 

mics.  Tiikencom  plotoly  by  surprise,  and  dismayed  at  the  sight  of  the  hiss- 
ing port  fire,  which  they  did  not  comprehend,  the  Indians  at  first  drew 
back  and  opened  a  running  fire  from  their  inferior  guns,  but  seeing  how 
small  was  the  number  of  their  assailants,  they  again  advanced  and  waited  for 
their  nearer  approach,  determined  apparently  to  save  their  powder  and  make 
the  tomahawk  alone  perform  its  work.  Suddenly,  Ronayne,  who  had  dis- 
mounted on  the  hill,  halted  within  twenty  paces  of  the  spot,  and  with  his 
men  at  extended  order.  The  Indians  dared  not  to  provoke  a  Iiand-to-hand 
encounter,  for  that  would  have  brought  them  within  the  range  of  the  mus- 
kets they  saw  levelled  above.  This  was  a  most  critical  and  anxious  moment 
to  the  young  officer.  He  had  descended  the  hill  too  rapidly  for  the  port 
fire  to  be  sufficiently  consumed  for  ignition  of  the  shells  generally,  and  for 
nearly  a  minute  they  stood  thus,  their  muskets  still  at  the  trail,  and  at  every 
moment  expecting  the  Indians  to  make  a  final  spring  upon  them. 

At  length,  after  the  lapse  of  a  few  seconds,  which  seemed  ages,  the  fire 
rapidly  approached  the  iron. 

"  Now,  my  lads,"  shouted  the  Virginian,  "  throw  them  in  lustily." 

A  loud  cheer  burst  from  the  lips  of  each,  as,  after  having  hurled  the  mis- 
sives of  death  into  the  dense  gi'oups  of  the  astonished  savages,  they  followed 
up  the  advantage  created  by  the  confusion  of  the  bursting  shells,  by  a  rush 
upon  the  gun,  the  drag-ropes  of  which  were  seized  amid  many  distant  shots, 
and  so  effectually  used  that,  before  the  former  could  recover  from  their  panic, 
the  piece  was  withdrawn  under  cover  of  the  fire  from  the  square,  and  its 
muzzle  turned  to  the  enemy. 

A  second  loud  and  triumphant  cheer  followed  from  the  hill,  and  the 
strong  voice  of  Captain  Headley  could  be  distinctly  heard  when  it  had 
ceased. 

"  Quick,  quick,  Mr.  Ronayne ;  there  is  another  strong  band  approaching 
the  wood  on  your  left.     The  work  is  but  half  dona." 

"  Light  your  second  grenades,''  ordered  Ronayne.  "  The  sight  of  the 
burning  port  fires  will  keep  them  in  check.  Sampson,  will  you  never  have 
finished  with  the  gun  ?  what  are  you  fumbling  about  that  you  do  not  drive 
in  the  ramrod  ?" 

But  the  man  spake  not ;  he  reclined  motionless  over  the  breech  of  the 
field  piece.  The  next  moment  the  brazen  plated  cap  fell  from  his  head,  and 
a  white  forehead  was  exhibited,  with  a  slight  incrxistation  of  blood  on  the 
temple  showing  where  the  fatal  rifle  ball  had  entered. 

''  Ha  !  dead  !"  exclaimed  Ronayne,  excitedly,  as  he  caught  the  man  by  the 
collar  and  gently  lowered  him  to  the  ground.  "  I  must  then  perform  your 
duty." 

He  caught  up  the  drill  ^id  the  heavy  hammer  which  the  stiffening  ar- 
morer had  dropped,  and  so  well  and  powerfully  did  he  use  it,  that  after  a 
few  blows  the  end  of  the  ramrod,  broken  short  oft'  at  the  touch-hole,  fell  into 
the  body  of  the  gun,  and  the  vent-hole  was  clear. 

"  All  right,''  he  exclaimed ;  "  quick,  Collins,  a  couple  of  cartridges  to 
prime  with." 

In  another  moment  the  gun  was  ready.  The  officer  passed  his  eye  along 
the  sight,  and  saw  that  the  muzzle  pointed  fully  at  the  large  body  that  was 
approaching  a  small  patch  of  brushwood  to  take  him  in  flank. 

"  The  moment  I  fire,"  he  ordered,  ''  throw  in  your  second  grenade.".,  seize 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  105 

the  drag-ropes  and  retire  with  all  speed  with  the  gun.  I  see  the  fuses  are 
nearly  burnt  out ;  this  is  rather  a  short  one  for  my  purpose,  Collins,  but  it 
must  answer." 

Stepping  to  the  right  side  of  the  gun,  he  held  forth  the  g'cnade  with. his 
left  hand,  and  apj)lied  the  port  fire  to  the  touch-hole.  Thcie  was  a  fizz  of 
a  few  seconds,  and  then  the  gun  went  off  with  a  loud  explosion,  and  a  fierce 
recoil.  Yells  and  shrieks  rent  the  air,  and  in  a  moment  the  whole  of  the 
new  band  were  scampering  away  in  full  flight,  leaving  behind  them  some 
five-and-twenty  of  their  party  killed  and  disabled  by  the  discharge  of  the 
piece,  loaded,  as  has  been  seen,  with  musket  bullets. 

Profiting  by  the  consternation  into  which  this  murderous  fire  had  thrown 
the  whole  body  of  Pottowatomies,  the  men  pealed  forth  another  cheer  even 
louder  than  the  first,  hurled  forward  their  grenades,  not  yet  ready  for  ex- 
]ilosion,  as  far  as  they  could  throw  them,  and  seizing  the  drag-ropes,  ran 
fleetly  with  it  towards  the  hill. 

Stricken  wath  disappointment,  the  Indians  lost  sight  of  their  usual  caution, 
and  rushed  furiously  forward  to  recover  the  gun,  which,  however,  being  now 
discharged,  was  of  no  actual  use  to  them. 

"  Leave  the  gun  where  it  is,  and  bring  off  your  officer,"  shouted  Captain 
Ileadley  in  a  clear  voice.  "See  you  not  that  he  is  wounded,  and  the  In- 
dians advancing  to  dispatch  him  ?'' 

This  was  the  first  intimation  the  men  had  of  the  fact.  In  their  anxiety 
to  secure  the  gun,  they  had  not  observed  that  Ronayne,  hit  by  a  rifle  bullet 
while  in  the  very  act  of  firing  his  piece,  had  been  brought  to  the  ground 
with  a  broken  leg,  and  rendered  unable  to  follow  them.  But,  no  sooner 
had  Captain  Ileadley  uttered  the  order  than  all  hastened  back  to  the  spot 
where  the  Virginian  reclined  on  one  side,  with  the  musket  of  the  armorer 
tightly  grasped,  and  his  look  still  bent  upon  the  distant  forest. 

Just  as  they  had  reached,  and  were  preparing  to  lift  him  up,  the  Indians 
again  rushed  forward  to  dispute  his  possession.  They  were  within  twenty 
paces,  and  brandishing  their  tomahawks  triumphantly,  when,  suddenly,  and 
one  after  another,  burst  in  the  midst  of  them,  the  grenades  which  had  been 
hurled  prematurely  on  the  discharge  of  the  field  piece,  and  striking  panic 
into  their  body,  caused  them  once  more  hurriedly  to  retire. 

But  this  check  was  only  momentary.  Rendered  reckless  at  every  moment 
from  the  liquor  which  all  had  more  or  less  imbibed  at  different  periods  of  the 
battle,  and  ashamed  that  they  should  be  kept  at  bay  by  so  mere  a  handful 
of  men,  the  dark  mass  now  fiercely  closed  upon  the  little  party  that  bore  ofl:' 
the  wounded  officer,  and  commenced  their  attack. 

Meanwhile,  Captain  Headley,  seeing  this  resolute  forward  movement  of 
the  Indians,  and  anticipating  the  certain  destruction  of  the  whole,  moved  his 
httle  square  rapidly  towards  the  gun,  causing  his  men  to  take  with  them  the 
ammunition  which  had  been  collected  there,  and  soon  the  piece  was  again 
loaded  and  turned  to  his  front.  But  it  was  found  impossible  to  discharge  the 
gun  without  endangering  the  lives  of  his  own  men  more  than  those  even  of 
the  enemy,  for  the  Indians  in  immediate  pursuit  kept  themselves  so  cau- 
tiously in  the  rear  of  the  former,  that,  in  the  position  he  then  occupied,  it 
was  impossible  to  reach  them  alone.  The  only  movement  that  could  save 
them  was  a  rapid  change  of  ground,  so  as  to  enable  him  to  take  the  enemy 
in  flank,  and  of  this  he  hastened  to  avail  himself  by  again  occupying  the 


106  WAU-NAN-GEK  ;     OR, 

sandhill.  This  was  Joue ;  but  in  the  short  time  taken  to  effect  the  move- 
ment, the  bloodhounds  hud  too  well  profited  by  their  advantage. 

At  the  head  of  the  pursuers  was  the  Chippewa,  Poe-to-tum.  Ilis  voice 
had  been  loudest  in  the  war  whoop,  as  his  foot  had  been  the  most  forward  in 
tlie  advance ;  and  his  deuuuciations  of  the  dog  Ileadley,  as  he  called  him, 
were  bitter,  and  he  called  loudly  for  him  that  he  might  kill  him  with  his 
tomahawk. 

"  Save  yourselves,  men,  and  leave  me  to  my  fate,"  exclaimed  the  Virgi- 
nian, as  he  heard  the  voice  of  the  Chippewa  almost  in  his  ear.  "  Nkon, 
remove  the  colors  fi-om  my  shoulders  and  take  them  into  the  square.  I 
shall  not  die  happy  until  1  know  them  to  be  secure." 

"  Nav,  sir,"  said  the  non-commissioned  officer,  "we  will  not,  cannot  de- 
sert you ;  and,  if  we  would,  it  is  now  out  of  our  })ower — wo  arc  too  closely 
pressed — vre  must  fight  to  the  last." 

''  Then  drop  me,  and  turn  and  fight.  Let  us  not  be  struck  down  like 
dastards,  with  our  backs  to  the  enemy.     Where  is  that  musket  ?" 

"Here  it  is,  sir,"  said  the  serjeant;  "  but  in  your  present  disabled  state 
you  cannot  make  use  of  it." 

"  At  least  I  will  try,"  returned  the  Virginian.  "  If  I  could  but  slay  the 
black-souled  Pee-to-tum,  I  should  revenge  the  treachery  of  this  day,  and 
])erhaps  be  the  means  of  saraig  the  remnant  of  our  brave  fellows." 

"  Oh !"  gasped  Nixon,  as  he  fell  suddenly  dead  upon  the  body  of  his 
wounded  officer.  lie  had  been  shot  through  the  back  and  under  the  left 
rib.  A  fierce  yell  followed,  and  Ronayne  beheld  the  hellish  face  of  the 
Chippewa,  looking  more  disgusting  than  ever  in  the  loss  of  his  left  eye,  as, 
with  shining  blade,  he  bounded  forward  to  take  the  scalp  of  his  victim. 

The  body  of  the  serjeant  lay  across  his  shattered  leg,  and  not  only  gave 
him  great  anguish,  but  impeded  his  action,  f;unt,  moreover,  as  he  was  from 
loss  of  blood  from  several  subsequent  wounds  received  during  his  transit 
fi-om  the  spot  where  he  first  had  fallen.  But  the  opportunity  of  avenging 
his  wife,  himself,  and  his  slaughtered  companions — the  latter  all  murdered 
at  his  instigation — was  one  that  would  never  occur  again,  and  all  his  ener- 
gies were  aroused.  Even  while  the  half-drunken  savage  was  in  the 
act  of  taking  tha  scalp  of  the  unfortunate  Nixon,  Ronayne  removed  the 
bayonet  from  the  musket,  and  grasping  it  with  all  the  fierce  determination 
of  hatred,  drove  the  sharp  long  instrument  with  such  force  through  his  ex- 
posed body,  that  not  only  the  point  protruded  several  inches  on  the  oppo- 
site side,  but  the  inner  edge  of  the  socket  itself  cut  deeply  into  the  flesh. 

Absolutely  roaring  with  pain,  the  Chippewa  left  his  bloody  work  unfi- 
nished. The  knife  fell  from  his  grasp.  He  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  having  at 
once  seen  by  Avhose  hand  the  blow  had  been  inflicted,  a  sudden  thouglit 
appeared  to  occur  to  him.  Down  again  he  threw  himself  furiously  upon  the 
body  of  the  wounded  officer,  who,  anticipating  the  act,  had  by  this  time 
armed  himself  v,^iLh  the  knife  that  lay  with  its  handle  on  the  ground  and  the 
trickling  blade  across  the  down-turned  cheek  of  the  serjeant.  He  sought  to 
encircle  him  in  his  death  grip,  but,  in  falling,  the  handle  of  the  bayonet  had 
struck  the  ground,  driving  the  weapon  even  deeper  in,  and  thus  adding  to 
his  torture.  But  the  greater  his  suffering,  the  more  desperate  became  his 
thirst  for  revenge.  lie  now  managed  to  throw  his  arms  round  tlie  neck  of 
the  Virginian,  and  said  sometliing  in  broken  Enghsh,  which,  accurapanied  as 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  107 

his  language  was  by  a  fiendish  laugli  rendering  his  countenance  more  hideous 
than  ever,  caused  the  latter  to  make  the  most  furious  endeavor  to  release 
himself,  while  with  his  right  and  disengaged  hand  he  struck  blindly  with 
his  knife  at  the  uncovered  throat  of  the  Indian.  Cut  the  Aveapon  was  soon 
wrested  from  his  enfeebled  hands,  and  the  Chippewa,  dexterously  turning 
himself  so  as  to  get  the  body  of  his  enemy  completely  under  him,  now  tried 
to  scalp  him  ahve.  Weak  as  he  was,  the  young  officer  did  not  lose  sight  of 
his  presence  of  mind.  Scarcely  had  the  scalping  knife  touched  his  head, 
when  it  was  again  withdrawn  with  the  most  horrible  contortions  of  the 
whole  body  of  the  Chippewa.  Fixing  his  eye  on  the  Indian's  face  above 
that  he  might  feast  on  the  agony  of  the  wretch  who  had  just  avowed  him- 
self to  be  the  violator  of  his  wife,  while  threatening  a  repetition  of  the  out- 
rage when  the  battle  should  be  over,  the  Virginian  had  seized  the  handle  of 
the  bayonet,  and  turned  the  weapon  so  furiously  in  the  wound  as  to  cause 
one  general  laceration,  the  agony  arising  from  which  could  only  be  compre- 
hended from  the  spasmodic  movements  and  wild  bellowings  of  the  savage. 
In  order  to  free  himself  from  the  torture  he  was  too  much  distracted  by  pain 
to  think  of  removing  by  the  instant  death  of  his  enemy,  the  Chippewa 
sprang  suddenly  upwards,  but  this  movement  only  tended  to  increase  the 
torments  under  which  he  vrrithed,  for,  as  the  Virginian  held  the  handle 
firmly  in  his  gi-asp,  the  bayonet  was  half  withdrawn,  and  the  sharp  point 
forced,  by  the  down-hanging  weight  of  the  socket,  into  a  new  direction. 
Wild  with  revenge  and  pain,  he  was  at  length  in  the  act  of  raising  his  toma- 
hawk to  dispatch  the  Virginian,  v/ho  had  abandoned  his  hold  of  the  bayonet, 
when  a  shot  came  from  the  front  of  the  square,  and  Pee-to-tum  fell  dead 
across  the  bodies  of  both  his  immediate  victims.  Singular  to  say,  the  ball, 
aimed  by  Captain  Headley  himself  at  the  upper  part  of  his  person,  and  du- 
ring the  only  period  when  the  Indians  could  be  reached  without  danger  to 
some  one  or  other  of  the  men,  entered  his  brain  over  his  injured  eye,  and 
forced  out  the  other. 

The  fall  of  the  detested  Chippewa — the  head  and  stay  of  their  battle — 
seemed  greatly  to  dispirit  the  Pottowatomies,  a  band  of  about  fifty  of  whom 
had  followed  them  in  this  fierce  onset.  Of  that  number,  some  fifteen  had 
perished,  both  in  the  hand-to-hand  encounter  with  the  immediate  followers 
of  Ronayne  and  several  shots  from  the  square.  On  the  other  hand,  but  four 
of  the  volunteers  remained — Corporal  Collins,  Phillips,  Weston,  and  De- 
garmo — the  latter  severely  wounded.  All  the  others  had  fallen,  and,  witli 
the  exception  of  Serjeant  Nixon,  been  scalped. 

A  cessation  of  the  contest  now  ensued,  and  the  Indians,  holding  up  what 
was  intended  to  be  a  flag  of  truce,  asked  permission  to  carry  off  the  body  of 
the  Chippewa.  Sensible  how  impolitic  it  would  be  to  exasperate  them  with- 
out necessity.  Captain  Headley  granted  their  request,  adding  that  now  the 
bad  man  who  counselled  them  had  been  stricken  doAvn  by  the  anger  of  the 
Great  Spiiit,  he  hoped  they  would  come  to  their  senses  and  obey  their 
legitimate  chiefs. 

A  low  murmuring  among  themselves  was  the  only  reply,  as  they  placed 
the  body  in  a  blanket,  drew  the  bayonet  from  the  wound,  from  which  fol- 
lowed a  copious  dark  stream,  and  leisurely  proceeded  with  their  burden  and 
the  scalps  they  had  secured  to  rejoin  another  body  of  their  tribe  who  had 
been  watching  them  iu  the  distance,  and  Avho  novf  rapidly  advanced  to  meet 


108  WAU-NAN-GEK  ;     OR, 

tlKMii,  ov'ulontly  anxious  to  know  why  they  rotin-ned  unmolcstetl,  and  what 
tidings  thoy  brought. 

Advantage  Avas  taken  of  this  cessation  of  combat  to  bring  back  what  re- 
mained of  the  galhmt  Httle  band  of  vohmteers  within  the  square.  The  dead 
wore  loft  to  moisten  the  sands  on  which  they  had  so  bravely  fallen,  llo- 
naync  still  lived,  but  he  could  not  be  removed.  The  slightest  motion  of  his 
body  brought  with  it  agony  little  less  excruciating  than  that  which  his 
enemy  had  experienced.  He  knew  he  must  die,  and  he  bogged  Captain 
Ileadley  to  let  him  perish  where  he  was,  under  the  shadow  of  the  guns  of 
his  comi-ades,  and  in  full  sight  of  the  forest  which  he  knew  contained  all  that 
he  loved  on  earth.  What  he  asked  to  be  spared  to  him  was  a  cloak  to  shield 
him  from  the  burning  heat  of  the  sand,  and  a  little  water  to  moisten  bis 
parched  lips.  Oh  !  what  would  he  not  have  given  for  a  draught  of  the  cool 
claret  of  the  dinner  of  yesterday  ! 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

He  that  comforts  my  vi-ife  is  the  chcrisher  of  my  flesh  and  blood. — AlPs  Well. 
What  nearer  debt  in  all  Immanity,  than  wife  is  to  the  husband. — Troiliis  and  C'ressida. 

It  was  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  a  burning  sun  threw  its 
strong  rays  upon  the  sandhill  where  stood  prepared,  for  whatever  further 
emergency  might  occur,  the  little  band  of  American  soldiers  now  reduced 
to  less  than  one  half  of  their  original  number.  The  acquisition  of  the  three- 
pounder  had  greatly  encouraged  them  for  the  moment,  but,  during  the  in- 
action that  succeeded  to  the  death  and  removal  of  the  body  of  the  fierce 
Chippewa,  each  had  leisure  to  reflect  on  the  but  too  probable  issue  of  the 
struggle.  As  long  as  day  remained  to  them,  they  felt  that  they  could, 
while  possessed  of  the  gun  and  a  sufficient  quantity  of  ammunition,  defend 
themselves  ;  but  when  the  darkness  of  night  should  come  on,  enabling  their 
enemies  to  approach  and  surround  them  from  all  quarters,  it  must  be  vain 
to  expect  they  could  maintain  the  contest  with  the  same  success  that  had 
hitherto  attended  theu-  extraordinarj'  efforts.  Inactivity,  in  a  position  of  that 
kind,  evelP-fcrings  despondency,  and  from  one  evil  the  mind  is  prone  to  revert 
to  another.  The  married  men  thought  of  their  wives  and  children  and  the 
horrible  fate  that  awaited  them,  and  from  the  men  of  strong  nerve  which 
they  had  manifested  themselves  to  be  while  in  positive  action,  they  now  were 
last  becoming  timid,  and  irresolute,  and  anxious.  The  sight  of  the  many 
dead  and  scalped  bodies  of  their  comrades  around  them  was  not  much  cal- 
culated to  reassure  them. 

Meanwhile,  Captain  Ileadley  had  kept  his  glass  almost  constantly  directed 
towards  that  part  of  the  common  adjoining  the  fort,  where  the  great  body 
of  the  Indians  had  now  collected,  and  appeared  to  be  in  earnest  deliberation. 
Among  the  number  of  those  assembled  he  could  distinctly  make  out  Win- 
nebeg,  VVaubansee,  and  Tee-pee-no-bee,  the  former  of  whom  seemed  to  be 
addressing  the  younger  Pottowatomies  in  energetic  terms,  while  he  fre- 
quently pointed  to  the  blanket  which  contained  the  body  of  the  slain  Chip- 


THE   MASSACHK    AT    CHICAGO.  109 

pewa.  At  length,  -when  he  had  been  succeeded  by  the  two  other  chiefs  just 
named,  who  seemed  to  deliver  themselves  in  a  similar  spirit,  a  yell  appa- 
rently of  assent  and  approval  came  from  the  dark  mass,  and  in  a  few  mi- 
nutes a  party  of  about  a  hundred  detached  themselves  from  the  group,  and 
preceded  by  the  same  flag  that  had  been  raised  by  the  immediate  followers 
of  Pee-to-tum,  slowly  advanced  towards  the  little  square. 

*'  Courage,  men,''  said  Captain  Headley,  "  we  have  not  fought  our  steady 
battle  for  nothing  ;  but  let  us  give  the  credit  of  success  where  most  it  is  due. 
We  owe  our  preservation,  if  we  are  preserved,  Avholly  to  the  gallantry  of 
Ensign  Ronayne.  Had  he  not  removed  the  spike  fiom  that  gun,  and  fired 
it  at  the  eventual  sacrifice  of  his  own  life — nay  more,  had  he  not  slain  Pee- 
to-tum,  our  most  bitter  and  relentless  enemy — we  should  all  have  slept 
upon  this  field — that  sight  we  should  never  have  seen ;"  and  he  pointed  to 
the  rude  flag  of  which  Winnebeg  was  the  bearer,  and  which  was  then  half 
way  from  the  point  of  departure  of  the  band. 

"  Even  so,"  observed  Lieutenant  Elmsley — "  to  poor  Ronayne,  if  this  rag 
means  anything  pacific,  and,  from  the  fact  of  its  being  borne  by  Winnebeg, 
I  have  no  doubt  it  does,  must  be  ascribed  our  exemption  from  the  fate  of  our 
unhappy  comrades.  Your  ball  was  well  aimed,  Captain  Headley,  and  hast- 
ened the  death  of  the  loathsome  and  vindictive  savage ;  but  never  could  he 
have  survived  that  bayonet  wound.  Life  must  have  ebbed  away  with  the 
blood  that  followed  its  removal ;  yet,"  and  this  was  said  with  a  significance 
which  his  commanding  officer  seemed  to  understand,  "  it  must  be  not  a  little 
satisfactory  to  you  to  know  that  your  shot  saved  him  from  the  tomahawk 
that  was  already  raised  to  dispatch  him." 

"  Would  that  in  doing  so  I  had  saved  his  life,"  returned  Captain  Headley, 
seriously.  "  How  doubly  unfortunate  is  our  position — without  a  surgeon  to 
attend  the  wounded.  Von  Voltenberg  I  have  not  seen  during  the  day — I 
greatly  fear  he  has  fallen  also." 

At  this  moment  the  Indians  had  come  within  about  twenty  paces  of  the 
square,  one  face  of  which  Captain  Headley  had  ordered  to  be  opened  to 
make  a  display  of  the  gun  behind  which  stood  a  man  with  a  hghted  match. 
Here  they  halted,  looking  with  mixed  regret,  awe,  and  anxiety  upon  what 
they  had  so  recently  had  in  their  own  possession,  while  Winnebeg  advanced 
a  few  paces  to  the  front. 

"  What  would  the  chief  Winnebeg  ?''  asked  Captain  Headley,  with  dig- 
nity.    "  He  brings  with  him  a  flag.     Are  the  Pottowatomies  sick  with 

blood  r 

"  The  Pottowatomies  are  strong,"  returned  the  old  warrior,  in  the  figur- 
ative language  of  his  race,  "  but  they  would  not  slay  the  brave.  Jf  the  war- 
riors of  the  white  chief  will  lay  down  their  arms  and  surrender  themselves 
prisoners,  their  lives  shall  be  spared." 

"This  is  well  to  promise,"  rejoined  the  commanding  officer;  "but  what 
reason  have  we  to  believe  that  the  Pottowatomies  are  serious  ?  They  know 
that  we  will  fight  to  the  last,  and  they  seek  to  save  their  own  lives  by  fair 
words." 

"  On  the  faith  of  a  chief,  I  pledge  myself  that  their  word  shall  be  kept. 
Pee-to-tum  is  dead — ^he  has  no  longer  power  over  the  young  men,  and  they 
will  now  obey  the  voice  of  their  own  leaders." 

"  The  word  of  Winnebeg  is  always  good,"  replied  Capt.  Headley,  "  but  I 


ll'O  V.-AU-XAX-GEK  ;     OR, 

distrust  his  youiijj;  men ;  tho.y  received  presents  from  their  Great  Father, 
nnd  promised  to  cscoit  liis  soldiei-s  to  Fort  \V'ii}ne.  How  have  they  kept 
their  word  ?  Look  around.  More  than  half  my  soldiers  lie  there  ;  hut  not 
alone.  If  the  Pottowatomie'i  count  well,  they  will  find  more  than  two  In- 
dians for  every  white  man." 

"  Our  Father's  warriors  are  brave,"  returned  the  chief,  "  and  so  the  Pot- 
towatomies  would  spare  their  blood.  If  they  surrender  their  arms,  I  pro- 
mise, in  their  name,  that  no  more  shall  be  spilt." 

"I  will  consult  my  brave  soldiers — they  shall  decide,"  observed  the  com- 
mandant, "  not  that  I  doubt  your  word  or  your  good  iuteniions,  Winnebeg, 
but  as  yon  had  not  the  power  to  restrain  your  young  men  at  first,  how  am  I 
to  Icnow  that  3'on  can  do  so  now  ?  At  present  we  have  arms  in  our  hands, 
and  can  defend  ourselves  ;  but  if  we  yield  them  up,  we  may  be  toma- 
liawked  the  next  moment.  However,  as  I  said  before,  my  brave  followers 
shall  decide." 

"Mr.  Elmsley,"  he  added,  turning  coolly  to  his  subaltern,  "  count  up  our 
little  force,  and  ascertain  how^  many  men  of  the  detachment  remain." 

"  Two-and-twenty,  sir,"  returned  his  subaltern,  who  had  taken  but  a  few 
minutes  to  enumerate  them." 

"  Two-and -twenty  out  of  sixty  with  whom  we  advanced  to  the  charge  this 
morning,  besides  two  officers — one  mortally  wounded,  the  other  missing. 
Well,  this  is  rather  hot  work ;  but  you  see,  Winnebeg,  that  if  our  loss  has 
been  mora  than  forty,  including  the  ISIiamis,  the  Pottowatomies  killed  are 
more  than  double  in  number." 

Winnebeg  replied  not,  but  he  looked  imploringly  at  Captain  Headley,  as 
if  desirous  that  he  shouM  accept  the  ofi^ered  terms  v.ithout  iri-itating  his 
people  with  allusions  to  their  heavy  loss. 

.  "  Well,  men,''  continued  that  officer,  vdio  had  remarked  the  particular  ex- 
]>ression  of  the  countenance  of  the  chief,  "  what  is  your  decision  ?  I  am  per- 
fectly ready  to  act  as  you  shall  say,  either  to  light  to  the  last,  or  to  surren- 
der, with  the  chance  of  being  knocked  on  the  head  afterwai'ds." 

"  Had  we  not  better  put  it  to  vote,  sir  ?"  suggested  Lieut.  Elmsley  ;  "  the 
responsibility  v.ill  then  rest  with  the  majority." 

"  A  good  idea,  Mr.  Elmsley.  So  be  it.  The  majority  of  votes  shall  de- 
cide  whether  we  tight  or  surrender." 

The  votes  were  accordingly  taken,  and  the  result  was  an  equal  division — 
eleven  for  surrendering  and  taking  the  chances  of  good  faith — the  other 
eleven,  chiefly  the  unmarried  men,  for  fighting  to  the  last. 

"  The  casting  vote  is  viith  you,  Mr,  Elmsley ;  that  given,  we  return  our 
answer,"  remarked  Captain  Headley. 

•'  Winnebeg,"  said  the  lieutenant,  addressing  him  for  the  first  time,  "  one 
question  1  would  ask  you  first :  know  you  auything  of  our  wivco — are  they 
dead — and  where  is  I^.Ir.  McKenzie  ?" 

"They  are  all  alive,"  returned  the  chief  with  animation — "bad  wound, 
though — W'innebeg  help  save  him  himself." 

Human  nature  could  stand  no  more.  Both  officei-s,  as  if  actuated  by  the 
same  common  impulse,  met  and  embraced  each  other  warmly.  A  mountnin 
weight  seemed  to  be  taken  from  their  oppressed  hearts,  and  those  two  men, 
who  had  preserved  tlie  most  cool  and  collected  courage  through  the  fearful, 
the  appalling  scenes  of  that  day,  stilling  all  their  more  selfish  feelings,  now 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  Ill 

suffered  the  warm  tears  to  gush  in  silenc3  from  their  eyes.  The  men  beheld 
this  sight  with  an  emotion  little  inferior  to  their  own,  and  many  a  tear 
trickled  o\  er  their  f;ices  and  moistened  and  mixed  with  the  dark  deposit  left 
by  the  bitten  cartridge,  as  they  too  rejoiced  in  the  safety  of  those  brave  and 
noble  women. 

"  There  can  be  no  doubt  what  my  decision  in  this  matter  will  be  now," 
remarked  the  lieutenant,  when  he  had  a  little  recovered  from  his  emotion. 
"  The  good  Winnebeg  who  has  done  thus  much — saved  those  most  dear  to 
us — cannot  want  the  jiower  to  save  ourselves.  My  vote  is  for  the  sur- 
render.'' 

"  Winnebeg,"  said  Captain  Headley,  with  great  feeling,  "  whatever  doubts 
may  have  existed  in  our  minds  as  to  the  propriety  of  surrendering,  they  are 
now  wholly  removed.  We  know  your  worth  and  humanity,  and  commit 
ourselves  wholly  to  your  good  faith.  Indeed,  from  the  moment  I  saw  you 
coming  at  the  head  of  this  party,  after  the  death  of  the  black-hearted  Pee- 
to-tuin,  I  felt  that  we  were  safe  from  further  attack.  Still,  it  was  my  duty 
to  consult  the  men  who  iiad  so  bravely  fought  with  me.  We  consent  to 
become  your  ])risoners,  on  three  conditions — first,  that  we  be  suffered  to 
retain  our  colors,  which  you  see  there  wrapped  round  the  djnng  body  of 
Mr.  Ronayne,  the  friend  of  your  son  ;  secondly,  that  we  be  permitted  to  bury 
our  dead  comrades  ;  and  thirdly,  that  we  be  surrendered  to  the  nearest 
British  post  at  the  earliest  opportunity," 

Winnebeg,  after  looking  at  the  spot  where  the  young  officer  lay,  spoke 
for  a  few  moments  with  his  followers,  who  did  not  seem  to  relish  the  ar- 
rangement, for  a  good  deal  of  animated  conversation  ensued  between  them- 
selves ;  but  *at  length  the  point  was  satisfactorily  settled,  and  the  former 
assented  to  the  conditions  of  surrender  Captain  Headley  had  imposed.  To 
have  reposed  any  faith  in  the  warriors  themselves  after  what  had  occurred, 
that  officer  was  now  fully  sensible  would  have  been  an  act  of  madness ;  but 
he  confidently  hoped  that,  although  Winnebeg  and  the  other  friendly  chiefs 
might  not  have  had  the  power  to  restrain  the  excitement  of  their  young  men 
in  the  first  outburst  of  their  rage  for  blood,  their  influence  would  to  a  cer- 
tain extent  be  regained,  now  that  the  fiercest  act  in  the  drama  had  been 
played,  and  the  chief  actor  was  no  more.  The  only  thing  that  created  uneasi- 
ness in  him  was  the  apprehension  that  the  severity  of  their  own  loss  might 
induce  such  a  desii-e  of  vengeance  in  the  minds  of  the  warriors  as  to  cause  in 
them  a  renewal  of  their  fury,  and  an  \itter  disregard  of  the  pledges  of  their 
leaders.  Something  however — indeed  much — must  be  left  to  chance.  As 
prisoners  they  might  and  would  be  saved,  if  the  influence  of  their  s^ger 
warriors  and  their  own  better  feelings  pj-evailed,  while,  as  combatants,  every 
man,  without  an  exception,  must  have  fallen.  Moreover,  the  reason  which 
had  decided  Lieutenant  Elmsley  in  giving  his  vote  had  an  equal  influence 
in  sustaining  himself  in  the  expediency  of  surrender.  Their  wives  were  pri- 
soners, and  a  reunion  with  them  was  not  impossible ;  v/hereas  if  they  had 
resolved  on  defending  themselves  with  the  obstinacy  of  despair,  that  hope 
must  have  been  for  ever  cut  off,  and  the  noble  women — not  to  speak  of  the 
partners  of  their  brave  and  humble  followers — who  had  taken  so  prominent 
a  share  in  the  combat,  wounded  and  sustained  only  by  the  faint  possibility 
of  a  meeting  with  their  husbands,  would  assuredly  be  made  to  undergo  a 
similar  fate. 


112  WAU-NAN-OKK  ;     OR, 

And  now  commenced  the  mo<;t  humiliating  part  of  the  movements  of  the 
day — the  breaking  up  of  the  gaUant  httle  square,  and  tlie  return,  thmkedby 
their  Indian  captors,  of  the  remains  of  the  detachment  to  the  furt.  Incom- 
phance  with  the  wish  of  Captain  Ilcadley,  expressed  at  the  suggestion  of 
his  men,  instead  of  Uvking  the  route  selected  by  Winnebeg  in  his  advance, 
the  party  were  sufiered  to  return  past  the  wagons.  The  scene  which  took 
place  here  was  one  of  mingled  consolation  and  despair.  Such  of  the  mar- 
ried men  as  l)ad  survived  the  conflict  anxiously  sought  their  wives,  many  of 
whom,  with  pale  cheeks  and  sunken  eyes,  and  hearts  nearly  crushed  by  the 
pitiless  murder  of  their  children,  still  wrung  comfort  in  the  midst  of  their 
despair,  as  they  gazed  once  more  on  the  features  of  those  whom  they  had 
given  up  as  lost  for  ever.  But  then,  on  the  other  hand,  was  the  soul's  mi- 
sery complete  of  the  poor  women,  widowed  within  the  past  few  hours,  who 
sought  eagerl}^  but  in  vain  to  distinguish  the  features  of  him  who  alone  could 
console  her  under  a  similar  bereavement,  and  who,  with  tears  and  sobs,  sank 
back  again  into  the  wagon,  in  all  the  agony  of  increased  and  confirmed  des- 
pair. It  required  stern  hearts  to  behold  all  this  unmoved ;  but  the  know- 
ledge that  their  wives  had  been  unharmed,  whatever  the  savage  destruction 
of  their  children,  brought  some  little  relief  to  the  overcharged  hearts  (^ 
such  of  the  married  men  as  had  been  spared,  and  in  their  secret  hearts  they 
returned  thanks  to  the  Providence  that  had  guarded  not  only  their  own 
lives,  but  the  lives  of  those  most  dear  to  them. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

And  with  what  feelings  did  they  now  re-enter  the  fort,  and  Avhat  an  as- 
pect did  it  present !  Half-drunken  Indians  were  yet  engaged  in  the  work  of 
plunder  and  destruction,  insomuch  so  that  it  scarcely  appeared  to  them  the 
same  place  from  which  they  had  sallied  out  in  the  morning ;  and  there  were 
moments  w^hen  the  stoutest-hearted  wished  that  they  had  never  returned  to 
it,  but  perished  on  the  field  where  their  comrades  lay,  unconscious  of  the 
past,  r^ardless  of  the  future  of  desolation,  of  which  all  they  saw  seemed  to 
give  promise.  The  officers'  quartei-s,  and  the  blockhouses,  which  had 
afforded  them  protection  and  shelter  during  many  a  long  year,  were  now 
burst  open,  and  every  article  of  heavy  bedding  and  furniture  hurled  into  the 
square — the  latter  ripped  open,  and  broken,  and  the  feathers  and  fragments 
strewn  around  as  if  in  mockery  of  the  neatness  that  had  ever  been  a  dis- 
tinctive characteristic  of  the  well-swept  parade  ground,  where  heretofore  a 
pin  might  have  been  picked  up  without  a  finger  being  soiled  in  the  act. 
These  were,  seemingly,  too  minute  considerations  to  have  weighed  at  such 
a  moment  when  higher  and  more  important  interests  were  at  stake ;  but.  to 
the  well-regulated  eye  of  the  soldier,  accustomed  to  order  and  decorum, 
they  were  now  mountains  of  inequality  and  discomfort,  which  contributed  as 
much  to  tlie  annoyance  and  mortification  of  his  position  as  the  very  fact  of 
captivity  itself;  and  if  this  was  the  feeling  generally  of  the  men,  how  deep 
must  have  been  its  effect  on  the  officers,  and  particularly  on  Capt.  Headley, 
who  had  ever  been  punctilious  to  a  nicety  in  all  that  regarded  the  internal 


^  *  THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  113 

arrangements  of  Fort  Dearborn.  But,  offensive  as  this  was,  Low  much  more 
so  was  it  to  behold  many  of  tlie  band  fantastically  arrayed,  not  only  in  their 
own  clothing,  but  in  that  of  their  wives,  desecrating,  as  it  were,  the  terrible 
solemnity  of  the  day,  and  mocliing  at  the  severity  of  suffering  to  which  the 
latter  had  been  subjected. 

Of  the  Indians  who  had  formed  their  escort,  some  stopped  outside  the  gate, 
others  mixed  with  the  spectators,  and  only  about  a  dozen  followed  them  to 
the  niess  room,  which  Winnebeg  said  he  had  selected  for  their  temporary 
quarters,  as  being  the  least  liable  to  interruption  or  molestation.  lie  pro- 
mised to  send  them  food,  and  later  in  the  evening,  when  all  was  quiet,  to 
conduct  the  two  officers  to  their  wives,  who,  for  greater  quiest  ■  and  secur- 
ity, were  still  lying  concealed  in  the  canoe  where  he  had  first  placed  them. 

"Winnebeg,  Winnebeg,"  said  Capt.  Ileadley,  solemnly,  "how  can  we 
ever  sufficiently  repay  you  for  your  noble  conduct  to-day  ?  Depend  upon  it, 
I  shall  not  fail  to  make  known  to  our  Great  Father  that  you  have  saved  the 
lives  of  one  third  of  the  detachment ;  but  let  me  remind  you  of  the  first  part 
of  our  contract — the  burial  of  the  dead.  There  is  plenty  of  daylight,  and  I 
wish  to  send  out  a  dozen  men  for  the  purpose  of  digging  one  common  grave 
for  them  all.  Mr.  Ronayne  must,  if  not  dead,  be  brought  in  on  a  litter ;  if, 
however,  he  is  no  more,  no  grave  can  be  more  honorable  to  him  than  that 
shared  with  his  followers.  You  know.  Corporal  Collins,  where  the  spades 
and  picks  are  kept." 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  know  where  they  are  usually  kept,  and  where  it  is  not  likely 
the}^  have  been  disturbed.     What  men,  sir,  am  I  to  take?" 

Almost  every  man  in  the  detachment  expressed  his  anxiety  to  be  of  the 
party  ;  but  the  remainder  of  those  who  had  been  with  the  Virginian  when 
he  fell,  and  a  few  others,  all  unmarried  men,  were  selected. 

"  Do  you  not  think,  sir,"  said  Lieutenant  Elmsley,  "  that  I  .should  com- 
mand this  party  and  superintend  the  arrangements  ?  Poor  Ronayne  must  be 
delicately  handled." 

"  If  you  will  do  so,  Mr.  Elmsley,  I  shall  be  most  glad ;  but  not  deeming 
it  absolutely  necessary,  I  did  not  propose  it  as  a  point  of  duty.  But  there 
is  another  thing  to  be  considered  :  Winnebeg,  what  escort  will  you  give  to 
my  people  ?  You  know  your  young  men  are  excited,  and  many  may  not 
know  of  the  conditions  of  our  surrender." 

During  this  conversation,  almost  the  whole  of  the  Indians,  to  the  number 
of  eighteen  or  twenty,  who  have  been  alluded  to  as  having  plundered  and 
offensively  arrayed  themselves  in  the  dresses  of  the  officers'  wives,  and  who 
were  evidently  the  most  turbulent  of  the  band,  had  been  drawing  gradually 
closer  around  the  httle  party  of  prisoners.  All  were  more  or  less  ludicrously 
painted,  and  exhibited  the  most  grotesque  appearance. 

When  the  remnant  of  the  detachment  first  entered  the  fort,  it  was  re- 
maiked  that  one  of  them — a  mere  youth — ^liad  closely,  almost  impertinently, 
examined  the  features  of  the  officers,  and  had  followed,  with  most  of  his  com- 
panions. When  Captain  Ileadley  made  his  request  for  cin  escort,  this  indi- 
vidual suddenly  went  up  to  Winnebeg,  tapped  him  on  the  shoulder,  and  said 
something,  not  in  Pottowatomie  but  in  Shawnee,  accompanied  by  much 
gesticulation,  which  seemed  to  have  great  weight  with  the  chief. 

"  Give  him  escort,  dis,"  said  the  latter  in  reply,  as  he  glanced  his  eye 
quickly  upon  the  grou^j,  and  with  seeming  intelligence. 


114  WAU-XAX-GKK  ;    On, 

"What!  those  nion !"  returned  Captain  ileadley,  witli  a  shadow  of  re- 
monstrance in  liis  tone. 

"  Ves,  all  good  PottoAvatomie — all  brave  warrior — no  give  him  dis,"  and 
he  pointed  to  those  who  had  accompanied  them  from  the  field,  "  all  too 
mnch  tired  witli  fight  already — dis  men  stay  here  all  day.     No  figlit." 

Although  by  no  means  persuaded  by  the  reasoning  of  Winnebeg,  that  men 
who  had  been  jtlundering  and  drinking  what  they  could  find,  during  the 
whole  of  tlie  moi'ning,  were  the  most  pi-oper  persons  to  guard  prisonei's  from 
the  violence  of  excited  enemies,  Capt.  Headley  felt  that  it  would  be  impru- 
dent to  ur|^any  further  opposition.  For  a  single  moment,  it  occurred  to 
him  that  Mi||phief  had  offered  this  escort  with  a  hostile  motive,  but  it  was 
a  thought  which,  involuntarily  forced  upon  his  mind,  was  as  instantly  dis- 
carded as  unworthy  of  the  chief,  and,  whatever  might  have  been  his  latent 
misgivings,  he  no  longer  opposed  an  objection. 

The  preparations  wei-e  soon  made  ;  the  litter,  and  materials  for  digging 
found,  and  the  little  party,  who  had  t;iken  off  their  uniforms  to  avoid  par- 
ticular remark,  and  to  be  more  free  in  their  mov(»ments,  sallied  forth.  On 
•  passing  near  the  gate,  and  in  a  direction  opposite  to  that  by  which  they  had 
just  entered,  they  beheld  the  body  of  Doctor  Von  Voltenl)erg,  within  a  few 
jaces  of  the  pathway  by  Avhich  they  now  advrmced,  wjiich  was  the  route 
taken  by  the  hrdians  with  the  three  pounder.  He  was  stripped  to  the  skin, 
scalped,  and  with  a  profusion  of  large  green  flies  and  ants  of  the  praiiie 
settled  on  and  seemingly  disputing  possession  of  the  dark  and  coagidated 
blood  that  was  already  incrusted  on  the  festering  wound.  The  body  was 
fa^t  becoming  bloated  and  discolored  under  the  rays  of  an  August  sun,  but 
no  one  could  mistake  the  black  and  the  peculiarly  cut  whisker,  and  the  good 
natured  and  smiling  expression  of  face  which  oven  in  death  had  not  wholly 
deserted  him. 

They  had  now  reached  the  point  where  the  Indians  stood  when  the  first 
grenades  were  thrown  in  among  them  by  the  followers  of  Ronayne.  From 
this  could  be  commanded  a  full  view  of  the  theatre  of  contest  as  fivr  as  the 
crest  of  the  sandhill,  being  a  full  musket-shot  from  the  spot  where  he  had 
last  fallen.  The  intermediate  space,  as  has  already  been  remarked,  was 
thickly  strewn  with  dead  bodies  amounting  in  all  to  upwards  of  a  hundred, 
apd  the  place  chosen  for  interment  by  Ijieutenant  Elmsley  was  the  small 
copse  of  underwood,  from  which  the  flank  movement  had  been  made  upon 
Ronayne  by  the  fresh  band  of  Indians  upon  whom  he  had  directed  the  fire 
of  the  three-pounder. 

While  occupied  in  digging  a  grave  of  about  twenty  feet  square,  their 
f-trangely  attired  looking  escort  amu?cd  themselves  with  examining  the  dead 
uniformed  bodies  that  lay  strewed  thicklv  around,  and  it  was  remarked  that 
they  showed  no  such  curiosity  in  regard  to  their  own  people  who  were  in- 
discriminately mixed  up  with  them.  Gradually  they  app]-oached  the  crest 
of  the  hill,  and  Lieutenant  Elmsley,  who  was  distrustful  of  their  intentions, 
nd  kept  a  close  eye  upon  their  movements,  saw  the  youth,  already  noticed, 
uddenly  bound  with  uplifted  tomahawk  towards  the  spot  where  poor  Ro 
n^pe  was  known  to  lie,  and,  after  addressing  a  few  words  to  his  companions, 
stoop  over  his  body,  with  what  intention  he  could  not  make  out,  but  he  pre- 
sumed to  dispatch  and  to  scalp  him,  for  the  cry  uttered  'by  the  Virginian 
and  heard  even  at  that  distance,  was  piteous  to  hear.     Desiring,  the  men  to 


THE    MASSACRE    AT    CHICAGO.  115 

go  on  with  their  work,  and  collect  the  bodies  as  soon  as  it  was  completed, 
he  hurried  ra2:)idly  to  the  scene  of  this  new  action,  and  as  he  advanced  saw 
another  and  a  much  stronger  party  of  Indians  approaching  th.e  same  spot. 
Rapidly  their  escort  closed  in  upon  the  officer  over  whom  the  young  war- 
rior was  kneeling,  and  stooping  down,  drew  from  their  victim  another  moau 
of  inexpressible  anguish.  All  then  rose,  and,  grouped  together,  moved  away' 
parallel  with  the  said  ridge  until  they  were  finally  lost  behind  a  sudden  ele- 
vation that  continued  the  hill  in  an  obtuse  angle  towards  the  forest. 

Startled  by  the  appearance  of  these  fresh  comers,  Lieut.  Elmsley  paused  for 
a  moment  in  his  advance,  but  feeling  that  any  appearance  of  mistrust  might  act 
unflivorably  upon  the  band,  he  renewed  his  course,  expecting  at  every  moment 
to'  reach  the  mangled  body  of  his  friend.  The  Indians  approached  the  same 
point  at  the  same  time,  and  he  saw  at  once  that  the  majority  were  composed  of 
those  v/ho  had  accompanied  Winnebeg  when  he  came  to  offer  terms  to  Captain 
Headley.  Trusting,  therefore,  that  there  was  no  violence  to  be  apprehended 
from  those  who  were  aware  of  the  fact  of  the  surrender,  towards  himself  or 
party,  he  proceeded  to  search  for  his  friend ;  but,  to  his  surprise,  his  body 
Avas  not  to  be  seen.  He  could  not  be  mistaken  as  to  the  spot  where  it  had 
lain,  close  to  Sergeant  Nixon;  but,  though  the  latter  was  nearly  in  the  same 
position  in  which  he  had  fallen,  the  knife  which  he  had  used.upon  the  throat 
of  the  Chippewa,  and  the  imprint  of  his  body  upon  the  sand,  deeply  moist- 
ened with  the  blood  of  both,  was  the  only  indication  of  Ronayne's  having 
been  there.  It  was  evident  that  he  had  been  carried  off  by  the  strange 
party  who  had  formed  their  escort,  and  that  the  cries  of  agony  uttered  by 
him  had  been  produced  by  the  torture  of  moving  his  broken  limb.  What 
the  motive  for  this  new  outrage  could  have  been,  it  was  difficult  to  conjec- 
ture, unless  it  was  to  secure  at  their  leisure,  and  before  the  other  party  of 
Indians  came  up  to  dispute  possession  of  the  spoils  with  them — not  only  his 
scalp,  but  the  blood-stained  colors  which  he  bore — perhaps  to  sell  the  latter 
as  a  trophy  to  the  British. 

Without  condescending  to  bestow  the  slightest  notice  upon  the  officer,  the 
Indians  approached  the  bodies,  and  leisurely  proceeded  to  strip  themiof 
their  clothing.  Their  leader,  uttering  a  yell  of  delight  and  surprise  as  he 
came  near  it,  spi'ang  upon  the  sergeant  and  secured  the  scalp,  which  Pee-to- 
tum  had  failed  to  take.  This  piece  of  good  fortune  led  the  othei-s  to  hope 
for  something  similar,  and  they  accordingly  dispersed  themselves  rapidly 
over  the  scene  of  combat,  examining  every  head  and  stripping  everybody. 
All  (his  v/as  done  without  Lieut.  Elmsley  having  the  slightest  power  to  in- 
terfere, for  he  knew  that  any  attempt  at  remonstrance  would  only  be  to 
provoke  a  similar  fate,  and  thus  the  party  passed  on,  stripping  every  soldier 
to  the  skin. 

While  he  lingered  hesitatingly  near  the  spot  whence  his  friend  had  been 
so  sino-ularly  removed,  waiting  for  the  plunderers  of  the  dead  to  depart  be- 
fore he  should  rejoin  his  men,  his  ears  were  suddenly  assailed  by  a  piercing 
shriek  from  the  further  extremity  of  the  underwood  in  which  the  latter 
were  digging,  and  which  extended  about  two  hundred  yards  on  the  left  of 
the  plain  below.  At  once  he  knew  the  cry,  and  comprehended  its  cause  ;  and 
rushing  down  the  sandhill  without  thought  of  the  new  danger  to  wdiich  he 
might  be  exposed,  turned  the  corner  of  the  small  wood,  and  stopping  ab- 
ruptly at  a  point  where  he  could  see  without  being  noticed  himself,  beheld 


116  wau-na\-gee;  or,  ^ 

.1  sight  as  distivssing  as,  a  few  moments  before,  it  had  been  unex- 
pectod. 

Witli  his  uncovered  head  sliglitly  raised,  and  reposing  upon  the  projecting 
root  of  a  tall  tree  that  rose  capriciously,  yet  majestically,  amid  the  stunted 
groAvth  around,  lay  the  enfeebled  and  dying  Ronayiie  extended  upon  a  pile 
of  clothing  formed  of  the  very  dresses  that  had  now  been  doffed  for  the  pur- 
pose by  his  escort.  By  his  side  knelt  his  wife,  disguised  in  the  noat  dress 
of  one  of  Wau-nan-gee's  sisters,  and  gazing  into  his  pale  face  with  a  silent 
expression  of  agony  which  no  language  could  render.  But  though  his  face 
•was  wan,  and  his  eye  gradually  losing  its  lustre,  the  arm  of  the  officer 
closely  clasped  around  the  waist  of  his  wife,  ever  and  anon  strained  her  so 
passionately,  so  convulsively  to  his  lieart  that  a  new  fire  seemed  at  these 
moments  to  be  enkindled  in  both — and  to  prove  all  the  intensity  of  the  un- 
diminislied  love  he  bore  her.  Neither  spoke.  Speech  could  not  so  well 
convey  what  was  passing  in  their  sad  souls  as  could  their  looks,  while  the  ex- 
hausted state  of  the  wounded  officer  rendered  exertion  of  any  kind  notmcroly 
painful  but  impossible.  On  the  other  side  of  the  Virginian,  who  held  his 
hand  affectionately  in  his  feeble  grasp,  stooped  the  young  Indian  already 
noticed,  and  standing  grouped  round,  and  gazing  Avith  evident  sorrow  on  the 
scene,  were  his  companions.  The  youth  was  Wau-nan-gee.  His  companions 
•were  his  immediate  and  devoted  friends — those  who  had  sought  to  make  the 
young  officer  a  prisoner  on  a  former  occasion,  when,  had  they  succeeded,  all 
this  trial  of  the  wife's  agony  might  have  been  spared.  On  the  first  exit  of 
the  troops  they  had  rushed  into  the  fort  on  the  pretence  of  plunder  and  ex- 
cess, in  the  hope  that  their  example  would  be  imitated  by -many,  and  that 
thus  the  detachment  might  be  left  to  pursue  its  route  comparatively  un- 
harmed. And  to  a  certain  extent  they  succeeded,  for  many  did  follow  them, 
and  Pee-to-tum  among  the  rest,  whose  absence  in  the  first  onset  of  the 
battle  had  dispirited  the  Indians,  whom  he  had  first  excited,  and  given  the 
Americans  an  advantage  of  which  they  never  lost  sight  until  the  close.  To 
have  taken  an  active  part  in  the  defence,  Avoidd  have  been  not  only  impos- 
sible but  impolitic,  but  in  the  course  they  had  pursued  they  had  no  doubt 
saved  such  of  the  detachment  as  remained,  for  had  all  been  engaged — had 
all  borne  a  prominent  sJaare  in  the  attack,  the  event,  from  the  great  disparit}'- 
of  numbers,  could  not  have  long  been  doubtful.  When  Wau-nan-gee,  whose 
anxiety  to  know  his  fate  had  been  great,  first  heard  from  his  father  of  the 
wounded  condition  of  Ronayne,  he  had  proffered  himself  and  friends  as  the 
escort  of  the  detachment,  intending  to  bear  off'  the  body,  without  being  seen 
by  the  other  Indians,  to  his  mother's  tent,  where  his  wounds  might  be  dressed 
and  his  life  saved  by  the  care  and  attention  of  his  own  wife. 

All  these  particulars  Lieut.  Elmsley  subsequently  ascertained  from  Win- 
nebeg,  for  anxious  as  he  was  to  take  a  last  leave  of  his  dying  friend,  and  to 
express  his  joy  at  once  again  beholding,  even  under  these  disheartening  cir- 
cumstances, her  for  whom  both  himself  and  his  wife  had  ever  entertained  the 
strongest  friendship,  the  officer  was  afraid  to  move  from  the  spot  where,  un- 
seen himself,  he  had  witnessed  all,  lest  by  suddenly  exciting  and  agitating, 
he  should  abruptly  destroy  the  life  which  was  evidently  ftist  drawing  to  a 
close.  To  have  broken  that  solemn  and  silent  communion  of  spirits,  would, 
he  felt,  have  been  sacrilege,  and  he  abstained ;  and  yet,  as  if  fascinated  by 
the  sight,  he  could  not  leave  the  spot — he  could  not  abandon  his  dearest  and 


THK    MASSACRE    AT    CHICAGO.  11  7 

best  friends  without  lingering  to  know  how  far  his  services  might  yet  be 
available  to  both  or  one. 

Apparently,  Mrs.  Ronayne  had  not  uttered  a  sound  since  that  piercing 
cry  had  escaped  her  which  attested  her  first  knowledge  of  the  hopeless  con- 
dition of  her  Avounded  husband.  The  attempt  to  cany  him  off  the  field, 
with  the  view  nOt  only  of  preventing  him  from  being  scalped,  as  he  certainly 
would  have  been  by  the  party  then  advancing,  but  of  conveying  him  to  the 
Indian  camp  of  the  women,  had  been  productive  of  the  greatest  suffering ; 
so  much  so  that  when  he  had  gained  the  point  where  he  now  lay,  and  where 
his  wife  had  first  met  him,  he  declared  to  Wau-nan-gee  his  utter  inability  to 
j)roceed  fiu'ther,  and  prevailed  on  him  to  place  him  on  the  ground  that  he 
might  die  in  quiet. 

It  was  now  near  sunset,  and  the  condition  of  the  Virginian  was  momen- 
tarily becoming  weaker.  He  suddenly  made  an  attempt  to  rally,  and  for  a 
moment  or  two  raised  himself  upon  the  elbow  of  the  hand  that  still  encircled 
the  waist  of  his  wife. 

"  Maria,  my  soul's  adored  !''  he  murmured,  "  I  feel  that  I  have  not  many 
moments  left,  and  I  should  die  in  despair  did  I  not  know  that  there  is  one 
who  will  protect  you  while  he  has  life.  God  knows  what  has  been  the  fate 
of  our  poor  companions,  but  even  if  living,  they  cannot  shield  you  from 
danger.  Wau-nan-gee,"  he  said,  turning  faintly  to  the  youth,  "  two  things 
I  am  sure  you  will  promise  your  friend — first,  to  conduct  yourself  in  all 
things  as  my  wife — your  sister — desires ;  secondly,  to  conceal  and  guard 
these  colors  until  you  can  deliver  them  up  to  the  nearest  American  fort." 
Then,  when  the  youth  had  solemnly  promised,  with  tears  filling  his  dark 
eyes,  that  he  would  faithfully  execute  the  trust,  he  turned  again  to  his  wife, 
and  said  in  a  tone  that  marked  increased  exhaustion  at  the  effort  he  had 
made,  "  Maria,  sweet,  it  is  hard  to  die  thus — to  leave  you  thus  ;  but  yet  you 
will  not  be  alone — Wau-nan-gee  will  love  and  protect  you,  obey  your  will : 
yet  you  need  not  now  fear,  I  have  avenged  your  wrong — that  wrong  of 
which  the  ruffian  boasted  when  I  slew  him — tortured  him — the  monster." 
How  different  the  gentle  love  of  this  affectionate  boy !  But  I  have  not 
strength — oh,  what  sickly  faintness  comes  over  me !  surely  this  must 
be ." 

"  Death  !"  he  would  have  added,  but  silence  had  for  ever  sealed  the  lips 
that  never  more  would  speak  his  undying  affection  for  his  noble,  graceful, 
and  accomplished  wife. 

For  some  moments  the  unhappy  woman  continued  to  gaze  upon  the  still 
features  of  her  husband  as  though  unconscious  of  the  extent  of  her  great 
misery,  and  when  the  reaction  came,  it  was  not  expressed  in  shrieks  or 
lamentations,  or  strong  outward  manifestations  of  emotion,  but  in  the  calm, 
serene,  condensed  silence  of  the  sorrow  that  stultifies  and  annihilates.  Her 
cheek  was  pale  as  marble,  and  there  was  a  fixedness  of  the  eye  almost  alarm- 
ing to  behold,  as  she  rose  erect  from  her  bending  position,  and  said,  with 
severity,  "  This  and  more  have  your  cursed  people  done,  Wau-nan-gee  !  I 
shall  ever  hate  to  look  upon  an  Indian  face  again  !  Yet  that  body  must  be 
buried  deep  in  the  ground,  and  in  a  spot  known  only  to  us  both,  where  none 
may  violate  the  dead.  You  have  promised  to  obey  me  in  all  things.  This 
is  the  first  charge  upon  you.  Let  us  go — the  night  is  fast  j^pproaching,  and 
the  place  reftiains  to  be  reached,  and  the  grave  is  to  be  dug.     By  to-raor 


118  wau-nan-gee;    on, 

vow"s  dawn  \vc  travel  together  and  alone  Ihi-ougli  tlie  wilderness,  in  execution 
of  tlie  will  of  your  friend  and  my  ]ius!)and.  Mark  that,  Wau-nan-gee  1  It 
is  liis  will  that  we  travel  together — that  you  shall  be  my  guide  and  protector. 
See  this  dress,  how  well  it  disguises  mo.  I  shall  be  taken,  as  we  journey, 
for  vour  squaw.  Ila  !  ha  !  Tliat  will  be  excellent,  Avill  it  not  ?  Maria  ITey- 
wood — Ronayne's  wife — the  mistress  of  A  fiend — then  Wau-nan-gce's  sqiiaw 
— and  not  yet  six  weeks  married  to  the  first !" 

She  suddenly  paused,  put  her  hand  to  her  brow — seemed  to  reflect,  and 
then  turning  to  Wau-nan-gee,  inquired  why  he  lingered  so  long  and  where- 
fore he  did  not  replace  the  body  in  the  litter  and  depart. 

With  a  pensive  and  serious  mien  the  youth,  who  had  been  still  kneeling, 
absorbed  in  sorrow  at  the  strange  coldness  of  Mrs.  Ronayne's  manner,  aiid 
afraid  to  disturb  her  in  a  distraction  which  he  comprehended  more  from  her 
looks  and  actions  than  her  language,  now  rose,  and  saying  something  in  a 
low  tone  to  his  companions,  who  had  also  regarded  her  throughout  with 
silent  surprise,  the  covering  on  which  the  body  of  the  unfortunate  officer 
reposed,  was  placed  upon  the  blanket,  which  four  of  the  party  held  ex- 
tended, and  at  the  direction  of  Wau-nan-gee  the  whole  proceeded  towards 
the  forest. 

When  this  strange  and  dispiriting  scene  had  terminated,  Lieut.  Elrasley, 
who  felt  at  each  moment  in  a  greater  degree  the  uselessness  of  any  inter- 
ference in  his  powerless  .position,  was  rejoiced  that  at  least  the  last  moments 
of  his  friend  had  been  consoled  by  the  presence  of  his  wife  ;  he  was  led  to 
hope  that  it  had  been  the  result  of  a  momentarily-disordered  brain,  on  which 
despair  had  now  wreaked  its  worst,  and  which,  therefore,  might  be  expected 
to  regain  a  stronger  if  not  its  wonted  toneAvhen  the  bitterness  of  grief  should 
have  somewhat  subsided. 

Proposing  to  prevail  on  Winnebeg  to  obtain  for  him  a  meeting  with  her 
on  the  morrow,  when  the  remains  of  her  husband  should  have  been  con- 
signed to  their  rude  resting-place,  he  returned  towards  his  party,  whom  he 
found  in  the  act  of  covering  up  the  bodies  which  they  had,  unmolested  by 
the  Indians,  brought  in  from  the  different  points  where  they  had  fallen. 
The  grave  was  soon  filled  up — a  short  and  mournfid  prayer  read  by  the 
officer  from  memory,  and  the  party  returned  full  of  gloom,  and  with  hearts 
bowed  down  by  sorrow,  to  the  dismantled  and  desolate-looking  fort. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

This  act  is  an  ancient  tale  twice  told.— ^in^  John. 

The  wretchedness  of  that  night  who  can  tell !  the  despondency  that  filled 
the  hearts  of  all,  not  so  much  in  regard  to  the  present  as  from  apprehension 
for  the  future,  who,  untried  in  the  same  ordeal,  can  comprehend  ?  but  the 
feelings  of  the  remnant  of  that  little  band,  who  were  indebted  for  their  safety 
to  their  own  bravery,  were  not  selfish.  They  lamented  as  deeply  the  fate 
of  the  fallen,  as  the  dark  and  uncertain  future  that  awaited  themselves — un- 
certain because,  although  the  chiefs  had  promised,  and  with  sincerity,  that 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  119 

they  should  be  given  up  as  prisoners  of  "war  fit  the  nearest  post,  they  had 
seen  too  much  of  the  falsehood  of  tlie  race  generally  to  rely  implicitly  on  its 
fulfilment  by  the  warriors.  Alas  !  whei-e  were  their  comrades — friends,  nay, 
brothers  of  yesterday  ?  Where  was  the  brave,  the  noble-hearted  Wells — 
where  the  once  gay,  ever  high-spirited  Ronayne — where  poor  Von  Volten- 
berg — the  manly  Sergeant  Nixon,  a  Virginian  also — the  faithful  Corporal 
Green — and  nearly  two  thiids  of  the  privates  of  the  detachment  ?  The  very 
fact  of  being  in  the  fort  again,  and  everywhere  surrounded  by  objects  ren- 
dering more  striking  the  contrast  between  the  past  and  the  present,  was 
agony  in  itself.  There  was  scarcely  a  man  amongthem  Avho  would  not  have 
])i'efeiTed  bivouacking,  in  the  Avild  wood,  amid  stoi'm  and  tempest,  and  tlie 
howling  of  beasts  of  prey,  to  resting  that  night  within  the  polluted  precincts 
of  what  had  so  recently  been  their  safeguard  and  their  pi-ide. 

Fortunately,  the  two  surviving  oflficeis  were,  in  some  measure,  exempt 
from  these  mortifications.  True  to  his  word,  Winnebeg  had  caused  Mrs. 
Head  ley  and  Mrs.  Elmsley  to  be  conveyed  undercover  of  the  darknt^ss  from 
their  place  of  concealment  to  the  mansion  of  Mr.  McKenzie,  which,  from  the 
great  popularity  of  the  trader  with  the  whole  of  the  Indian  tribes,  had  been 
left  untouched — he  himself  having  been  looked  upon  as  a  non-combatant, 
and,  therefore,  spared  from  all  personal  outrage. 

The  meeting  between  the  husbands  and  their  wives — both  the  former  also^. 
slightly  wounded  during  the  daj^ — was,  as  m.ay  be  supposed,  most  aflfecting. 
Neither  had  ever  expected,  on  parting  in  the  morning,  to  behold  each  other; 
and  npw,  although  more  or  less  injured,  to  find  those  who  were  preserved, 
as  it  were,  by  a  miracle  from  a  cruel  death,  with  a  prospect  of  future  hap- 
piness, the  past  was  for  the  moment  forgotten,  and  gratitude  to  God  for  their 
preservation  the  dominant  feeling  of  their  souls.  The  examination  of  the 
wound^.  of  the  heroines  was  the  next  coirsideration.  Most  fortunate  was  it 
that  of  all  the  wounds  received  by  the  ladies — seven  by  i\frs.  Ileadley  and 
three  by  Mrs.  Elmsley — not  one  was  of  a  nature  to  disable  or  impede  the 
motion  of  their  lower  limbs.  A  ball  that  had  lodged  in  her  arm,  however, 
gave  the  former  great  pain  ;  but,  alas  !  there  was  no  Von  Voltenberg  to  cut 
it  out.  In  this  extremity,  Winnebeg  said  he  knew  an  Indian  w^ho  was  very 
expei't  at  incision,  and  that  he  would  procure  his  attendance. 

Meanwhile  the  party  were  enabled  to  partake  of, some  refreshments  which 
luid  been  ordered  on  the  departure  of  Winnebeg  for  his  charge ;  and  ex- 
hausted as  all  had  been  by  intense  anxiety  and  emotion,  from  the  moment  of 
their  setting  out  almost  to  the  present,  this  was  tridy  acceptable,  especially 
to  the  two  officers. 

In  the  course  of  the  repast,  allusion  was  made  to  the  gallantry  and  suf- 
fering of  the  unfortunate  Ronayne,  when,  on  Captain  Headley  asking,  for 
the  first  time,  what  had  been  done  Avith  the  body,  Lieut.  Elmsley  proceeded 
to  relate  all  that  he  had  heard  and  witnessed  a  few  hours  previously. 

This  singular  detail  excited  not  only  surprise  but  pain,  especially  in  Mis. 
Headley,  whose  deep  friendship  for,  and  interest  in,  both  husband  and  wife 
had  already  been  so  sti-ongly  exhibited.  It  is  not  often  that,  in  the  hour  of 
our  keenest  suffering,  we  have  much  sympathy  to  bestow  upon  others ;  but 
the  noble  woman  had  known  the  ill-fa^ed  Maria  too  intimately — known  her 
too  well — not  to  feel  deep  sorrow  for  the  double  affiiction  under  wliich  she 
labored.     lu  the  confession,  if  such  it  can  be .  called,  which  ^^he  had  com- 


120  WAU-NAN-OEK  ;    OR, 

mitled  to  writlniif  and  subsequently  transraijtted  Ky  Wau-nan-gco,  as  well  as 
in  lior  Avild  and  unconnected  language  on  Hie  day  of  the  fatal  occurrence 
itself,  she  had  alluded  to  something  terrible — an  attempt  at  outrage,  but  in 
those  vague  terms  of  violated  modesty  which  left  the  extent  only  to  be  sur- 
mised. No  one  of  those  who  knew  the  contents  of  her  communication,  had 
susjiccted  or  presumed  the  worst,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  avowal  b)'  Ho- 
nayne  of  his  vengeance  for  the  avowed  fulfilment  of  the  htdlish  and  sacrile- 
gious lust  of  the  hideous  monster,  and  the  strange  admission  that  fell  in  her 
despair  from  Mrs.  Ronayne  "herself,  the  secret  must  have  died  with  them- 
selves. 

It  was  not  exactly  a  subject  for  discussion,  under  ortlinary  circumstances, 
and  before  e very-day  women  ;  but  hero  not  only  were  the  parties  cognizant 
few  in  number,  but  actuated  by  nobler  motives  than  those  whicli  would 
have  governed  mere  worldly  and  censui-ing  people.  Moreover,  the  nature 
of  their  connexion  with  each  other,  and  with  the  victims  themselves — for  it 
was  shown  that  Ronayne  had  recei\ed  his  mortal  wound  from  the  rifle  of  the 
Chippewa — even  the  atrocit}'  complained  of,  <;onneeted  as  it  was  with  all  the 
horrors  of  tlie  past  day,  not  only  justified  but  compelled  it. 

"  She  must  not  be  left  where  she  is,"  gravely  i-emarked  Mrs.  Ileadley, 
after  some  moments  of  reflection ;  "  cannot  Winnebeg,  the  good  \Yinnebeg, 
•whom,  perhaps,  we  have  taxed  too  much,  be  persuaded  to  bring  her  to  us? 
Now  that  the  worst  has  happened  she  will  be  far  happier — more  contented, 
by  sharing  our  fortunes,  whatever  they  may  be,  than  remaining  in  the  In- 
dian encampment,  cut  off  from  every  kindred  association.  What  think  you, 
Mrs.  Elmsloy  ?" 

"  Oh !  I  shall  be  too  delighted  to  see,  and  to  soothe  her  sorrow.  As  a 
sister,  I  have  ever  loved  her — as  a  sister,  I  love  her  still." 

"Then,  assuredly,"  returned  Mrs.  Headley,  "will  she  not  hesitate  to  over- 
come her  false  delicacy,  and  to  consider  herself,  what  she  really  is,  tbe  victim 
of  misfortune,  and  not  of  guilt,  when  a  mother  and  a  sister  united  look  upon 
her  as  pure  in  thought  as  in  the  days  of  her  unwedded  innocence,  and  offer 
her  what  home  may  be  preserved  to  tliemselves." 

"  Generously,  nobly  said  !"  remarked  Lieutenant  Elmsley,  pressing  the 
hand  of  his  wife,,  and  looking  his  feelings  as  he  caught  the  eye  of  the  last 
speaker.  "  I  bad  intended  to  ask  Winnebeg  not  to  simply  go  himself,  but 
to  permit  me  to  accompany  him,  that  I  might  know  her  intention  and  offer 
her  my  aid.  What  I  have  now  heard  confirms  me  in  my  desigTi.  Early 
to-morrow  morning,  if  he  assents,  we  shall  go  over.  But  here  he  is  him- 
self, with  the  Indian  who  is  to  perform  the  operation  on  your  arm,  Mrs. 
Headley." 

The  door  opened,  and  Winnebeg  entered,  followed  by  a  tall,  powerful, 
good-looking  Pottowatomie,  wlio  glanced  inquisitively  around  the  apartment 
with  the  air  of  one  who  expects  an  unpleasant  recognition,  nor  was  it  appa- 
rently without  reason,  for  the  moment  Mrs.  Elmsley  beheld  him,  she  uttered 
an  involuntary  shriek,  and  drew  back  with  every  manifestation  of  disgust. 
The  Indian  remarked  it,  and  sought  to  retire,  but  Mrs.  Elmsley,  suddenly 
njctillecting  herself,  and  fearing  so  to  offend  him  as  to  prevent  the  aid  he 
had  come  to  render,  rose  and  held  out  her  hand  to  him,  saying,  with  an 
attempt  at  a  smile — 

"  Never    mind — althoufrh    we  have    fought    a  hard    battle    together 


THK  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  121 

to-day,  it  is  all  over  now.  Let  us  be  friends.  Winnebeg,  explain  this 
to  him." 

Winnebeg  did  so,  whpu,  with  a  mingled  look  of  astonishment  and  plea- 
sure, the  Pottowatomie  warmly  returned  her  pressure.  It  was  the  same 
warrior  with  whom  she  had  grappled,  in  the  desperation  of  a  last  hope, 
when  so  opportunely  extricated  from  her  perilous  position  by  Black  Par- 
tridge. As»he  had  the  reputation  of  much  expertness  in  making  incisions 
and  removing  balls  lodged  in  the  flesh,  his  attendance  had  been  requested. 

Calm  and  composed,  although  evidently  laboring  under  deep  dejection 
for  the  loss  of  her  uncle,  the  hon-ible  mode  of  whose  death  had,  however, 
been  kept  back  from  Iter,  Mrs.  Headley,  dressed  in  the  light-textured  i-iding 
habit  in  which  she  had  gone  forth  in  the  morning,  and  which,  it  has  already 
been  remarked,  set  off  her  finely  moulded  bust  and  waist  to  the  best  advan- 
tage, prepared  to  submit  herself  to  the  operatioij.  As  she  raised  herself  up 
on  the  ottoman  on  which  she  leclined,  Mrs.  Elmsley  cut  open  the  sleeve  to 
the  shoulder,  thus  laying  bare  one  of  the  most  magnificent  arms  that  ever 
was  appended  to  a  woman's  body,  the  dazzling  whiteness  of  whose  contour 
was  only  dimmed  in  the  fleshy  part  above,  and  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
the  spot  where  the  ball  had  entered. 

At  a  sign  from  Captain  Headley,  the  Indian,  who  had  been  talking  aside 
with  his  chief,  now  approached,  but  no  sooner  did  he  behold  the  uncovered 
limb,  when,  either  dazzled  by  its  brilliancy,  which  to  him  must  have  seemed 
in  a  great  degree  superhuman,  or  shocked  that  anything  so  beautiful  should 
have  been  thus  wounded,  he  suddenly  stopped,  and  while  his  eyes  were 
as  if  fascinated,  the  blood  could  be  seen  suddenly  to  recede  from  his  dark 
cheek.  ^ 

"  No,  father,"  he  said  to  "Winnebeg,  "  I  cannot  do  it.  I  cannot  cut  that 
arm  open — the  very  thought  makes  me  sick  here" — and  he  pointed  to  his 
heart.     "  I  cannot  do  it." 

Although  this  involuntary  homage  to  the  rich,  full,  and  moulded  beauty 
of  a  limb  which  was  but 'a  sample  of  the  perfection  of  the  whole  person,  and 
which  in  a  woman  seldom  attains  its  fullest  harmony  of  proportion  before 
the  mature  age  which  Mrs.  Headley  had  attained,  was  not  exactly  that  of 
the  porter  who,  at  an  earher  period,  solicited  the  famous  Duchess  of  Gordon 
to  permit  him  to  light  his  pipe  at  her  ladyship's  brilliant  eyes,  it  was  cer- 
tainly conceived  in  much  of  a  similar  spirit,  and  Mrs.  Headley  could  scarce 
herself  suppress  a  smile  when  she  remarked  the  effect  upon  the  Indian.' 

And  yet  this  man  had  been  one  of  the  foremost  in  the  attack,  and  at  his 
waist,  even  then,  dangled  more  scalps  than  had  been  taken  by  any  other 
warrior  during  the  day. 

"  Well,"  said  Mrs.  Headley,  on  the  Pottowatomie  continuing  resolute  in 
his  refusal  to  touch  the  wound — '•  somebody  must  do  this  act  of  charity,  for 
the  ball  gives  me  much  pain.  Mr.  McKenzie,"  she  added,  with  that  sort  of 
smile  that  may  be  attributed  to  a  person  seeking  to  assume  an  air  of  uncon- 
cern even  when  most  disheartened  — "you  have  long  been  accustomed  to  use 
the  dissecting  knife  on  the  buffalo  and  the  bear  :  do  you  not  think  that  you 
could  find  the  courage  necessary  for  the  occasion  !" 

"  Most  decidedly  ;  I  will  make  the  attempt  if  you  desire  it,"  returned  the 
trader  ;  "  but  I  fear  that  my  surgical  apparatus  is  Very  limited  indeed.  Von 
Voltenberg  having  been  stripped,  all  his  instruraeijts  have,  doubtless,  been 


1221  WAU-NAN-GEE  ;     OR, 

plundered,  so  it  is  no  use  to  look  for  aid  tlioro ;  and  tiic  oii]\^  thing  vrlth 
which  I  can  try  tny  skill  is  a  common  bat  very  sliarp  penknife;.'" 

"  Try  whatever  you  please,''  said  Mrs,  lleadlcy  ;  "  only  relieve  me  of  this 
sufforiny;  that  wliich  you  may  intlict  cannot  jHJSsibly  be  worse" — and  un- 
flincliingly  extending  her  arm,  she  waited  for  him  to  begin. 

For  the  tirst  time  in  his  life  Mr.  INlcKenzie  felt  nervous.  There  was  a 
greater  amount  of  courage  required  to  cut  into  the  delicate  flesh  of  a  woman 
tlian  even  to  kill  a  bear  or  a  buffalo  ;  but  as  he  had  promised,  he  summoned 
up  his  resolution  and  skill  to  the  task. 

Tiie  Pottowatomie,  bedizened  witli  scalps  as  he  was,  had  remained  to 
witness  the  cutting  out  of  the  ball ;  and  nothing  could  surpass  the  cxpres- 
sipn  of  surprise  that  pervaded  his  feafures,  as  he  keenly  Avatched  the  almost 
immovability  of  Mrs.  Headley  from  the  moment  that  the  blade  of  the  pen- 
knife, dexterously  enough  handled,  entered  into  the  flesh  and  efiected  the 
iieision  necessary  to  enable  the  ball  to  be  removed.  •  "Wheia  the  operation 
was  finished,  and  the  ball  produced,  he  started  suddenly  to  his  feet,  and 
uttered  a  sharp  exclamation,  denoting  approbation  of  her  wonderful  courage. 
He  asked,  as  a  favor,  to  retain  the  ball  as  a  testimony  of  her  heroism  ;  when 
Mrs.  Headley  presented  it  to  him  with  her  own  hand.  And  with  this  he 
departed,  exulting  as  though  he  had  taken  a  new  scalp. 

This  incident,  perhaps  unimportant  in  itself,  was  not  without  some  mo- 
ment in  the  results  to  which  it  led.  On  the  day  following  the  fort  was  filled 
with  Indians  and  their  squaws  not  only  endeavoring  to  assert  their  claims 
to  individual  prisoners,  but  infuriated  at  the  losses,  seeking  a  victim  to  the 
manes  of  their  deceased  relatives.  Among  others  was  an  aged  squaw,  who 
had  lost  a  favorite  son  in  the  battle,  and  who,  having  been  told  by  a  warrior 
that  he  had  distinctly  seen  him  killed  by  a  shot  from  Mis.  Headley's  rifle, 
repaired  to  the  house  of  Mr.  McKenzie,  where  she  knew  she  then  was,  bent 
upon  exciting  the  general  sympathy  of  the  warriors  in  her  favor,  and 
obtaining  their  assent  that  she  should  revenge  his  death  upon  the  "  white 
squaw." 

It  happened,  however,  that  the  noble  woman,  feeling  great  relief  from  the 
abstraction  of  the  ball  from  her  left  arm  the  preceding  evening,  and  feeling 
seeure  in  the  pledge  entered  into  by  Winnebeg,  and  confirmed  in  a  mea- 
sure by  his  people,  had  fearlessly  mounted  her  horse,  which  had  been  reco- 
vered for  her,  and  ridden  alone  to  the  baggage  wagons  for  the  purpose  of 
procuring  some  article  which,  at  the  moment,  she  much  required.  As  she 
was  returning,  and  when  near  the  entrance  to  the  fort,  she  was  met  by  the 
vixen,  furious  with  rage  and  disappointment  at  not  having  found  her. 

Advancing  with  a  cry  that  might  be  likened  to  that  of  a  fiend,  she  seized 
the  bridle  of  the  horse,  and  attempted  to  drag  his  rider  by  her  habit  to  the 
ground — shrieking  forth  at  the  same  time  her  determination  to  have  her  life 
who  had  taken  the  life  of  her  son.  But  Mrs.  Headley  Avas  not  one,  as  the 
reader  of  this  by  no  means  fictitious  nan-ative  ali'eady  knows,  to  be  thus  in- 
timidated. She  possessed  too  much  of  the  high  spirit,  the  resolute  nature 
of  her  unfortunate  uncle  to  submit  quietly  to  the  outrage,  and,  moreover, 
she  knew  enough  of  the  Indian  character  to  be  sensible  that  it  was -not  by 
any  manifestation  of  submission  that  she  could  hope  to  escape  the  threat- 
ened danger.  Her  course  was  at  once  taken.  She  stiaick  the  gaunt  and 
shrivelled  hag  such  a  violent  stroke  over  her  shoulder  with  the  horeewhip 


THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO.  123 

of  cowhide  she  held,  that  the  hitter  was  compelled  to  release  her  hold  ;  and, 
as  she  rushed  into  the  fort,  calling  on  the  Indians  to  revenge  her  son  and 
kill  the  white  squaw,  the  latter  followed  her  completely  round  the  square, 
using  her  cowhide  with  a  dexterity  and  an  effect,  as  she  leaned  over  her 
saddle,  that  drew  bursts  of  laughter  and  approval  from  the  warriors  eagerly 
gazing  on  the  scene.  At  one  moment,  there  Avas  a  manifestation  of  a  desire 
to  carry  out  the  wishes  of  the  crone  and  kill  Mrs.  Ileadley,  and  several 
voices  were  loud  in  the  expression,  but  suddenly  then  stood  forth  the  Pot- 
tovvatomie  of  the  preceding  evening,  the  antagonist  of  Mrs.  Elmsley,  who, 
from  his  commanding  appearance,  not  less  than  by  the  prestige  of  his 
bravery  imparted  by  the  numerous  fresh  scalps  at  his  side,  soon  made  him- 
self an  object  of  attention.     None  of  the  chiefs  were  present. 

"The  white  squaw  shall  riot  be  killed,"  he  pronounced,  as  he  held  up  his 
tomahawk  authoritatively  ;  "  she  is  brave  like  a  Pottowatomic  Avarrior.  See 
here,"  holding  up  first  five  and  then  tAvo  fingers — "  so  many  balls  have  hit 
her,  and  yet  she  is  here,  on  horseback,  as  if  nothing  had  happened.  '  What 
Indian  Avould  have  courage  to  do  that  ?    Speak  !" 

"PAvau-na-shig  lies,"  returned  the  beldame,  Avhom  Mrs.  Headley  had  now 
ceased  to  punish,  yet  who,  panting  from  the  speed  she  had  used  in  her  flight, 
was  almost  inarticulate,  thereby  provoking  the  greater  mass  of  the  Indians 
knoAving  its  cause  to  increased  mirth — "  the  Avhite  squaw  has  no  Avounds — 
where  are  they — she  cannot  show  them.  If  she  had  Avounds  she  could^not 
sit  on  her  horse ;  but  she  has  killed  m)'  son,  and  I  demand  her  blood.  Let 
her  be  given  up  to  my  tomahaAvk." 

A  loud  and  confused  murmur  burst  from  many  of  the  group,  influenced 
by  the  words  of  the  last  speaker.  Mrs.  Ileadley  sat  her  horse  Avith  indif- 
ference, patting  his  -head  gently  Avith  the  whip,  yet  looking  earnestly  toAvards 
Pwau-na-shig,  upon  Avhom  she  now  altogether  relied. 

"  The  mo^ier  of  Tuh-qua-quod  is  a  foolish .  old  woman,  and  knoAvs  not 
what  she  says,"  vociferated  the  tall  Avarrior  ;  "  do  you  doubt'  the  word  of 
Pwau-na-shig — see  here,"  and  he  took  from  his  pouch  and  held  up  to  vieAV 
between  his  finger  and  thumb  the  bullet  which  had  been  extracted  the  pre- 
ceding evening.  "  That,"  he  said,  "  I  saw  taken  from  her  flesh  with  my  own 
eyes — she  did  not  move— she  made  no  sign  of  pain— she  was  hke  a  war- 
rior's wife  ;  but  you  shall  see  what  Pwau-na-shig  says  is  true." 

He  approached  Mrs.  Ileadley,  who,  comprehending  his  object,  shifted  her 
rein  to  the  whip  hand,  and  calmly  extended  her  left  arm.  Where  it  had 
been  cut  open,  the  sleeve  of  her  riding  habit  was  fastened  from  the  Avrist  to 
the  shoulder  by  narroAv  dark  ribbons,  Avhich  had  been  sewn  on  the  previous 
evening  by  Mrs.  Elmsley,  and  these  the  Pottowatomie  proceeded  to  untie ; 
then  turned  back  the  sleeve,  as  Avell  as  the  snow-white  linen  of  the  upper 
arm,  soiled  only  with  her  own  blood,  until  the  Avhole  Avas  revealed. 

Apparently  as  much  struck  by  the  brilliancy  and  symmetry  of  the  limb 
as  Pwau-na-shig  himself  had  been,  the  wanioi's — CA'en  those  Avho  had  been 
most  clamorous  in  support  of  the  demand  of  the  old  squaw — Avere  noAV  una- 
nimous in  their  low  expressions  of  admiration  ;  nor  was  this  sentiment  at  all 
lessened  Avhen,  following  from  the  Avrist  the  rich  contour  of  the  SAvelling  arm, 
it  finally  rested  upon  the  Avound  she  hei'self  had  divested  of  its  slight  dra- 
pery. The  incision  made  by  the  penknife  of  Mr.  McKenzie,  at  least  three, 
inches  in  length,  had  assumed  a  slight  character  of  inflammation,  and  con- 


124;  ■WAU-NAN-OEE  ;    OR, 

trasting  as  it  did  with  the  astounding  wliiteness  of  every  other  portion  of  the 
limb,  gave  it  the  appearance  of  being  much  more  severe  than  it  really  was. 
But  it  was  not  the  wound  alone  that  eiAisted  the  feelings  of  the  Indians  in 
•favor  of  Mrs.  Ileadley,  Connected  with  that  was  the  coolness  she  had 
evinced  throughout  the  wliole  affivir  from  the  persevering  flogging  of  the 
harridan,  who  sought  her  scalp,  to  the  graceful  unconcern  with  which  she  sat 
her  horse  w'hen  she  must  have  known  that  it  was  then  a  question  under  dis- 
cussion wliether  her  life  should  be  taken  or  not.  This,  with  the  fact  of  the 
wound  which  they  then  saw,  and  their  no  longer  doubt  of  the  existence  of 
many  others,  were  undeniable  evidences  of  her  heroism,  and  at  that  moment 
^Irs.  Headley  Mas  regarded  by  these  wild  people  with  a  higher  respect  than 
she  had  ever  commanded  in  the  palmiest  days  of  her  husband's  inliuence 
with  the  race. 

"  No  kill  him,"  said  Pwau-na-shig,  exultingly,  as  he  remarked  the  effect 
]>roduced  ou  his  companions — "  white  chief's  wife  good  warrior." 

"  No,  no  kill  him,"  answered  another  voice,  in  broken  English  also.  "  Dam 
fine  squaw — wish  had  him  wife — get  brave  papoose." 

,A  general  expression  of  assent  came  from  the  band,  when  Mrs.  Headley, 
whose  sleeve  had  again  been  rudely  tied  by  Pwau-na-shig,  fearing  that  if 
she  remained  longer  another  reaction  might  take  place,  pressed  the  hand  of 
the  Indian  with  a  warmth  of  gratitude  that  brought  the  strong  fire  into  his 
eye  and  the  warm  blood  into  his  cheek,  turned  her  horse's  head,  and  can- 
tered out  of  the  fort,  followed  by  the  wuld  ravings  of  the  beldam,  who  tore 
her  long  and  matted  grey  hair  and  stamped  her  feet  in  fury  at  the  disap- 
pointment. In  a  few  minutes  she  was  again  at  the  door  of  Mr.  McKenzie, 
and  alighted  in  the  arms  of  her  husband,  who,  alarmed  at  her  long  absence, 
was  in  the  act  of  leaving  the  house  in  search  of  her  when  she  arrived. 

"  There  come  Elmsley  and  Winnebeg,  but  unaccompanied,"  remarked 
Captain  Headley,  when,  in  reply  to  his  inquiiy  as  to  the  cause  of  her  long 
absence,  she  said  she  would  tell  him  later.  "  I  fear  that  they  have  been 
unable  to  prevail  upon  Maria  to  leave  the  new  home  of  her  election.'' 

"  I  am  sorry  for  it,''  gravely  returned  his  wife.  "  I  must  say  her  choice 
is  not  exactly  what  I  should  have  expected ;  but  here  they  are — we  shall 
soon  know.  Well,  Mr.  Elmsley,"  she  added,  as  that  officer  ascended  the 
veranda,  followed  by  ^Vinuebeg,  "  what  news  do  you  bring  of  the 
truant  ?" 

''  I  scarcely  know  whether  to  consider  it  good  or  bad,"  returned  the  lieu- 
tenant, Avith  an  air  of  disappointment ;  "  but  I  have  not  seen  Mrs.  Ronayne. 
There  seems  to  have  been  more  method  than  madness  in  her  language  to 
Wau-nan-gee  of  yesterday,  for  this  morning  she  departed  with  him  to 
Detroit." 

"  Indeed,"  remarked  Mrs.  Headley  ;  "  you  surprise  me,  Mr.  Elmsley ;  but 
does  she  perform  that  long  journey  on  foot  ?" 

"  No ;  Winnebeg  ascertained  fiom  his  wife  that  she  was  mounted  on  her 
oAvn  horse,  and  that  Wau-nan-gee,  having  visited  and  returned  from  Ilard- 
scrabble  during  the  night  with  a  couple  of  trunks,  she  had  made  up  two 
large  packages,  which  were  tied  to  the  back  of  her  saddle,  while  the  youth 
strapped  tw^o  others  similarly  prepared  with  provisions,  behind  his  own  pony. 
Thus  provided,  and  Wau-nan-gee  with  his  rifle  on  his  shoulder  and  other- 
Avise  well  armed,  they  set  out  at  daybreak. 


THE    MASSACRE    AT    CHICAGO.  125 

"Poor  Maria!  "wliat  your  eventful  destiny  will  be,  heaven  only  knows," 
sighed  Mrs.  Headley ;  "  for  not  only  the  road  but  the  course  you  pursue  is 
one  beset  with  danger.  But  our  lots  are  now  cast  in  different  channels,  and 
we  have  need  of  attention  to  ourselves.  Come  in,  Winnebeg,  while  I  relate 
to  you  the  somewhat  narrow  escape  I  have  again  had  from  the  tomahawk 
since  you  left  this  morning." 

"  Good  Go'd !  what  do  you  mean  ?"  simultaneously  exclaimed  the  two 
officers.     Winnebeg  stared  and  looked  as  if  he  did  not  fully  comprehend. 

"  Oh  !  quite  an  adventure,  I  can  assure  you  ;  and  who  do  you  think  was 
ray  devoted  knight- errant  V 

"  What  a  subject  to  jest  about,  Ellen  !"  remarked  her  husband,  half  reprov- 
ingly.    "  To  whom  do  you  allude ''"' 

"  Onhiihe  tall  Avarrior  who  tried  so  desperately  to  get  your  wife's  scalp, 
Mr.  ElmHy." 

"  What,  Pwau-na-shig  ?" 

"The  same.  You  cannot  imagine  what  a  conqiiest  I  have  made  ;  but  let 
us  go  in— the  story  is  too  good  not  to  be  told  to  all,  and  I  presume  both 
Mrs.  Elmsley  and  her  father  are  in." 

"  They  are,"  said  Captain  Headley,  as  the  lieutenant  gave  his  arm  to 
conduct  her  into  the  house. 


Little  remains  to  be  added  to  our  tale.  Of  the  incidents  that  occurred  to 
"Wau-nan-gee  and  his  charge,  after  their  departure  from  the  camp  ^of  the 
Pottowatomies,  we  might,  and  may,  speak  hereafter ;  but,  as  it  is  not  essen- 
tial to  our  present  design,  and  would  necessarily  occupy  far  more  space  than 
is  consistent  with  the  limits  we  have  been  compelled  to  prescribe  to  our- 
selves for  the  detail  of  the  attack  and  partial  massacre  of  the  garrison  of 
Fort  Dearborn,  we  forbear.  We  had  always  intended  the  facts  connected 
with  the  historical  events  of  that  period  to  be  divided  into 'a  series  of  three, 
like  the  Guardsmen,  Mousquetaires,  and  Twenty  Years  After,  of  Dumas. 
Two  of  these,  embracing  different  epochs  and  circumstances,  we  have  com- 
pleted in  "  Hardscrabble"  and  "  Wau-nan-gee  ;"  and  whether  the  third,  on 
a  different  topic  than  that  of  war,  and  which,  as  we  have  just  observed,  is  not 
necessary  to  the  others,  ever  finds  embodiment  in  the  glowing  language  and 
thought  of  Nature,  nursed  and  strengthened  in  Nature's  solitude,  will  much 
depend  on  the  interest  with  which  its  predecessors  shall  have  been  received. 
Yet,  whether  we  do  so  or  not,  we  trasi  the  sweet,  the  gentle  Maria  Ronayno 
— the  loadstone  of  attraction  to  all  who  knew  her,  will  have  excited  suffi- 
cient interest  in  those  of  her  own  sex  who  have  followed  her  in  her  hitherto 
chequered  fate  to  induce  in  them  a  desire  to  know  more  of  the  destiny  to 
which  she  seemed  to  have  been  born. 

Of  the  other  characters,  scarcely  less  interesting,  we  can  speak  with 
gi-eater  confidence.  On  the  third  day  after  the  battle,  the  prisoners,  includ- 
ing Mr.  McKenzie  and  the  members  of  his  household,  were  removed  from 
Chicago,  and  scattered  about  in  small  and  separate  parties,  at  various  inter- 
vals of  distance  from  Mackinaw,  then  in  possession  of  the  British.  Here 
Mrs.  Headley  remained  some  time,  in  order  that  she  might  recover  suffi- 
ciently from  her  troublesome  wounds,  when  Winnebeg,  in  whose  immediate . 
charge  she  and  her  husband  were,  learning  that  his  people  manifested  impa- . 


l'2(j  AVAU-N-AX-GEE  ;  OH,  THE  MASSACRE  AT  CHICAGO. 

ti'jnco  at  (ha  indulg-oncc  sliown  to  them,  and  with  their  usual  iiclilcncss  and 
inconsist(,Micy,  d^.-si['eJ  to  have  th3ui  i^ivon  up  to  their  own  custody,  ])addled 
them,  aidwl  only  by  his  squaw,  from  th(ir  village,  a  distance  of  three  hundred 
miles  along-  the  shores  of  Lake  Michigan  to  the  post  of  Mackinaw,  whence 
the  prisoners,  who  had  been  received  with  all  the  courtesy  the  knowledge 
of  their  position  and  tiie  fame  of  their  deeds  could  not  fail  to  inspire,  by  tlic 
gentlMuanly  commander  of  that  post,  were  sulysL'quently  transferred  to  the 
general  then  commanding  at  Detroit. 

And  great  was  the  curiosity  of  the  young  British  oflicers  then  in  garrison 
at  the  latter  post,  to  behold  this  noble  and  accomplished  woman,  the  repu- 
tation of  whose  coolness  and  courage,-  under  the  most  trying  circumstances, 
had  been  widely  circulated  by  'her  friend,  Al^-s.  Elmsley,  who,^with  her 
father  and  husband,  had  somd  weeks  preceded  her  to  the  same  qjMBter. 

Little  did  we  at  the  time,  as  we  shared  in  the  general  and  sincffe  homnge 
to  her  magnificence  of  person  and  brilliancy  of  character,  dream  that  a  day 
would  arrive  when  we  should  be  the  chronicler  of  Mi's.  Ileadley's  glory,  or 
liave  tire  pleasing;4ask  imposed  upon  us  of  re-embodying,  after  death,  the 
inimilablc  grace  and  fulness  of  contour  that  then  fired  the  glowing  heart  of 
the  unformed  boy  of  fifteen  for  the  ripened  and  heroic,  although  by  no 
means  bold  or  masculine  woman  of  fort3^ 


PR 
,^ 

Wig 


